Pope Francis is organizing a global gathering of comedians that will take place on Friday (14) at the Vatican.
The pontiff invites names like Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien and others to the equivalent of a “conclave of comedians” in Rome.
A group of Brazilian comedians were also invited, including Fábio Porchat, Cacau Protásio and screenwriter Cris Wersom.
More than 200 people are expected in the audience, including more than 100 comedians from 15 countries.
Francisco, 87, is known for his sense of humor. He likes to joke with people he meets, often saying with a smile, “please pray for me…not against me!”
The pontiff has repeatedly emphasized the importance of having a sense of humor, saying it is something he prays for every day.
“A sense of humor lifts you up, shows you that your life is short and approaches things with a redemptive spirit,” Francisco said in an interview.
“It’s a human attribute, but it’s the closest thing to God’s grace.”, he added.
The pope’s meeting on Friday (14) with “artists from the world of humor” is part of his latest attempt to engage with contemporary culture.
The Vatican explained in a statement that the meeting emphasizes how “the art of comedy can contribute to a more empathetic society and supportive world.”
The event follows his historic visit to the Venice Biennale and his meeting last year with artists and directors at the Vatican.
The meeting also comes as the pope faces uncertainty over his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics after allegedly using a homophobic slur in private meetings.
Others from the US group include Tig Notaro, Jim Gaffigan with several Catholics among them: both Gaffigan and Stephen Colbert identify as Catholic, while Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien were both raised in the Catholic Church.
Also expected to attend is Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who told Christiane Amanpour of CNN who “had no idea” what to expect.
Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest nicknamed the “Chaplain of the Colbert Report,” will also participate in the meeting.
Host and comedian Stephen Colbert talked about the upcoming papal audience on his show.
“Pope Francis will meet me at the Vatican!” he joked. “I’m excited? Is the Pope Catholic?”
Colbert then issued a warning to Chris Rock, referencing the incident in which Rock was assaulted by actor Will Smith during the Oscars.
“Chris, for the sake of safety, I would just keep Mary Magdalene’s name out of your mouth. Because the Pope wears a big ring!”
The comedian also referenced the controversy over the Pope’s reported use of a homophobic slur by asking: “Why Papa Frankie, why?”
Meanwhile, “Sister Act” star Whoopi Goldberg already met the pope during an audience at the Vatican last year.
At that meeting, Goldberg said he offered Francisco a cameo role in “Sister Act 3,” the film series about a singer who joins a convent.
Source: CNN Brasil
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