The pope crossed the road to accommodate over one hundred comedians.
The pope, Pope Francis, is hosting a group of comedians, including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien, for an audience in Rome. Over 200 people are invited, and more than 100 comedians hail from 15 different countries.
Pope Francis is famous for his sense of humor and is often seen cracking jokes with those he meets. He once expressed how a good sense of humor lightens the soul and keeps us connected to God's grace, stating, "A sense of humor lifts you up, showing your life is short and to take things with a smile... it is the closest to God's grace."
The meeting on Friday with "artists from the world of humor" is just one of the ways Francis connects with contemporary culture. The Vatican recently highlighted the positive impact of comedy on the world, adding that it can create a more empathetic, supportive society.
Francis' outreach to contemporary culture isn't new, and it includes visits to the Venice Biennale and last year's meeting with artists and directors in the Vatican. Following speculation surrounding his position on LGBTQ+ Catholics due to reports of a homophobic slur, this meeting seems like a step towards repairing sentiment.
Among the American attendees, famous names include Tig Notaro, Jim Gaffigan, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who told CNN she had no idea what to expect at the meeting. Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest known as "The Colbert Report's Chaplain," will also attend.
Both Gaffigan and Colbert identify as Catholics, while Fallon and O'Brien were raised in the Catholic Church. Louis-Dreyfus mentioned no details.
During his show, Colbert joked about the meeting, exclaiming, "Pope Francis is going to meet me at the Vatican! Am I excited? Is the pope Catholic?" He then humorously warned Chris Rock to avoid mentioning Mary Magdalene, as the pope wears a big ring. Colbert also touched on the controversy surrounding the pope's reported use of an anti-gay slur, asking, "Why Pope Francis, why?"
Despite the controversy, Whoopi Goldberg, known for "Sister Act", had already met with the pope during an audience in the Vatican last year. During that meeting, Goldberg offered the pope a cameo in "Sister Act 3", a film about a singer who joins a convent.
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Pope Francis' meeting with comedians hails from various countries around the world, demonstrating his global reach and influence in connecting with contemporary culture. The Vatican has recognized comedy's positive impact on the world, and this occasion is a testament to embracing diverse perspectives, uniting Europe and the world through humor.
