VATICAN CITY, Italy – Pope Francis welcomed a diverse group of comedians from around the world at the Vatican before heading to the Group of Seven summit in Italy’s southern Puglia region. The pontiff highlighted the significance of humor, emphasizing the power of spreading peace and smiles in a world filled with challenging news and personal struggles. Over 100 comedians from 15 different nations, including renowned U.S. figures like Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien, gathered for this unique event.
During the meeting, Pope Francis expressed his appreciation for the comedians’ ability to bring joy and unity through laughter, stating that laughter is contagious and has the potential to connect people. He humorously asked for prayers from the comedians, suggesting they pray for him, not against him. The pontiff praised the art of comedy, noting that when a comedian can bring a smile to even one spectator, it also brings joy to God, the first spectator in history.
Emphasizing the value of humor, Pope Francis encouraged the comedians to find ways to make God smile, even if it means joking about religious figures. Following his speech, the pope engaged with each comedian individually, sharing laughs and jokes with them. Goldberg expressed her delight at the experience, describing it as quick, loving, and joyful. O’Brien mentioned the language barrier as the pope spoke in Italian, leaving him unsure of the conversations that took place.
Reflecting on the surreal experience, Colbert humorously admitted his struggle with the Italian language but managed to remind the pope of recording his memoir’s audiobook. Despite the language challenges, the interaction with Pope Francis left a lasting impression on the comedians, with Colbert jokingly suggesting the pontiff would never forget him. The gathering of comedians at the Vatican created a unique atmosphere where laughter and camaraderie prevailed, leaving many in awe of the unexpected opportunity and the joy it brought amid their comedic pursuits.