"Pope Francis tells an assembly of prominent comedians worldwide, 'You bring people together, as laughter spreads easily.'"
The head of the Catholic Church organized an event comparable to a gathering of comedians at the Vatican, inviting the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien.
More than two hundred attendees were in the audience at the Apostolic Palace, with over a hundred comedians hailing from fifteen countries.
With a heavy mix of humor in his speech, Pope Francis addressed the gathering, stating, "Despite the gloomy news and the many challenges we face, you are capable of spreading cheerfulness and smiles."
"Your laughter binds people together," he continued, "Your ability to make people laugh even in the face of issues, both big and small, is quite remarkable."
The pontiff also applauded the comedians for bringing attention to wrongdoings, and for giving a voice to overlooked situations. The 87-year-old Francis even remarked jokingly, "Please pray for me, not against me."
He emphasized that laughter can help people overcome social barriers and forge connections.
Francis seemed to stress the positive impact of humor, noting that while communication can often lead to conflict, comedians can unite different viewpoints.
The Pope also asserted that it was acceptable to "laugh at God" in the same way one might with loved ones.
This gathering with "artists of comedy" forms part of the Pope's strategy to engage with modern culture. According to a Vatican statement, the event highlights how comedy can help shape a more empathetic, accepting world. This meeting follows Francis' visit to the Venice Biennale and his assembly with artists and movie directors in the Vatican last year.
Other notable U.S comedians present included Tig Notaro and Jim Gaffigan; both Gaffigan and Colbert identify as Catholics, with Fallon and O'Brien having been raised in the Catholic Church.
Louis-Dreyfus, an American comedian, revealed to CNN that she didn't know what to expect from the event.
The recent gathering is just one of several attempts by the pope to connect with various groups, reflecting his focus on reaching out to diverse communities. However, there are questions surrounding his approach towards the LGBTQ+ community, stemming from his reported use of a homophobic slur during private meetings.
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The gathering of comedians at the Vatican attracted attendees from all over the world, with more than a hundred coming from Europe.Pope Francis praised the comedians for their ability to bring laughter and unity to people across the world, including those in Europe.
