Pope Francis meets with over 100 comedians at the Vatican

Pope Francis met with a diverse group of 105 comic entertainers from 15 countries at the Vatican on Friday, in an effort to "establish a link" between humorists and the Roman Catholic Church. The gathering included notable figures such as Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Conan O’Brien.

Addressing the attendees, Pope Francis praised their ability to highlight societal issues through humor. "In the midst of so much gloomy news," he said, "you denounce abuses of power, you give voice to forgotten situations, you highlight abuses, you point out inappropriate behavior." He also commended them for encouraging critical thinking by making people laugh and smile.

The event marked the first time so many comedians had gathered at the Vatican. Bishop Paul Tighe, the secretary of the Vatican’s culture and education office, explained that the pope had instructed his office "to build relationships with the world of culture." He emphasized humor's role in "puncturing pomposity" and recognized the contributions of comedy performers.

Several participants expressed their appreciation for the opportunity. Conan O’Brien, raised in an Irish Catholic family, joked afterward, "It’s the first time, and I’m sure the last. I’m sure he walked out and said, ‘We’re never doing that again.’” Jim Gaffigan, a Catholic comedian, described the audience as "the ultimate Hail Mary."

Stephen Colbert, who often incorporates his faith into his comedy, mentioned that he had provided the voice for the official audiobook of Pope Francis' memoir. Reflecting on the meeting, Colbert said, “It was wonderful, something I’ll never forget.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared her experience, saying, "I said, ‘Thank you for inviting me and God bless you,’ and he said, ‘God bless you.’" Whoopi Goldberg, who previously joked about offering the pope a cameo in “Sister Act 3,” described the visit as "very fast and really loving and made me happy."

Despite some controversies surrounding the invited comedians, including criticisms from conservative groups, the pope reiterated the importance of their work. He cited the "Prayer for Good Humor" attributed to St. Thomas More, which he has prayed for 40 years, and encouraged the comedians to continue their efforts. "Continue to cheer people up, especially those who have the hardest time looking at life with hope," he told them. "Help us, with a smile, to see reality with its contradictions, and to dream of a better world."