CV NEWS FEED // Pope Francis recently tried his hand at stand up during an unprecedented gathering of comedians from around the world on June 14.
“It is okay to laugh at God,” the Pontiff told those in attendance, noting that it is not blasphemy to “play and joke with the people we love.”
As CatholicVote previously reported, the early morning audience included US comedians such as Stephen Colbert, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Woopi Goldberg, Jim Gaffigan, and others.
The Pope began his speech by cracking a joke, saying it would be much better for him to make a funny face to amuse his audience than to read his speech.
Pope Francis also emphasized the importance of comedy in bringing people together, across generations and cultural backgrounds. “Humour,” he noted “does not offend, humiliate, or put people down according to their flaws.”
“In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles,” he told the 100-some comics watching him intently.
According to the Catholic Review, Pope Francis also shared that he prays daily, “Grant me, O Lord, a good sense of humor.”
At the end of his speech, each comedian was able to personally greet the Pope.
EWTN Vatican Correspondent Colm Flynn posted footage of the US comedians, writing:
Who did it best? @jimmyfallon @chrisrock @StephenAtHome @ConanOBrien Whoopi Goldberg or @JimGaffigan & kids?
Conan O’Brien also spoke about his reaction to meeting the Pope during an interview with Flynn.
“To be in that room with all my fellow comedians, some of whom I’ve been good friends with for many years, in that environment, was quite strange,” Conan told reporters after meeting the Pope.
“All of us were thinking, how did this happen? Why are we here, and when are they going to throw us out?” he continued.
Gaffigan brought his wife, Jeannie, and two children Patrick and Michael, who each brought their rosaries for the Pope to bless. The comedian posted a clip of his moment with Francis as well, writing:
The Pope told me I was his favorite comedian. Such an incredible experience. This followed the Pope addressing a room of 200 comedians from throughout the world. It felt like a meeting of everyone who couldn’t behave in church.
Francis may be seen in the clips greeting the young Gaffigan boys with a smile, blessing their rosaries, and handing them each a piece of candy.
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