Pope holds show for over 100 comedians; causes road crossing.
The Pope, Francis, hosted a gathering of comedians in Rome, inviting the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, and Stephen Colbert, with over 200 people in attendance and over 100 comedians from 15 countries. The 87-year-old Pontiff is well-known for his sense of humor, frequently cracking jokes with those he meets, often uttering, "please pray for me... not against me!" He's expressed the significance of humor, saying, "A sense of humor lifts you up, it shows your life is short and to take things in the right light." He considers this a human attribute yet almost divine grace.
The Vatican explained that the meeting between "artists of humor" reinforces how comedy can foster empathy and understanding, as part of the Pope's continued efforts to engage with contemporary culture. This follows his visit to the Venice Biennale and a meeting with artists and directors in the Vatican, coinciding with recent question marks regarding certain aspects of his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics.
Among the US comedians are Tig Notaro, Jim Gaffigan, who identifies as Catholic, and others like Fallon and O'Brien, both previously raised in the Catholic Church. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is also set to attend, stating she had "no idea" what to expect.
Other notable attendees include priest and media figure, Fr. James Martin, better known as "The Colbert Report's Chaplain." Speaking on his show, Colbert joked about meeting Pope Francis, "Pope Francis is going to meet me at the Vatican! Am I excited? Is the pope Catholic?" He also made a light-hearted warning to Chris Rock, mentioning the Oscars incident with Will Smith, "Chris, just keep Mary Magdalene's name out of your mouth... the pope wears a big ring!" Colbert also brought attention to the controversial reported use of a homophobic slur by Francis, quipping, "Why Pope Frankie, why?"
Whoopi Goldberg, best known for "Sister Act," already met the pope during a 2022 audience at the Vatican. Goldberg revealed she offered him a cameo in "Sister Act 3," a film series starring a singer who joins a convent.
In that meeting, Goldberg mentioned a possible cameo in the third installment, "He [Pope Francis] was very positive and very warm, and I said, 'Would you like to be in?'"
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The Pope's gathering of comedians from around the world serves as a testament to the universal language of humor, bridging cultures and fostering understanding beyond the confines of Europe. This global gathering aligns with the Pope's mission to engage with contemporary culture, giving voice to various perspectives on the world stage.
