‘You unite people, because laughter is contagious,’ Pope Francis tells star-studded cast of global comedians
CNN
By Simone McCarthy and Christopher Lam, CNN
(CNN) — As world leaders gather in Italy for a summit addressing entrenched global crises, Pope Francis hosted an international gathering of a different sort on Friday to broadcast his own message – of the importance of humor.
The leader of the Catholic Church hosted the equivalent of a conclave of comedians in the Vatican by inviting Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien and others to the Vatican.
Over 200 people were in the audience at the Apostolic Palace, with more than 100 comedians from 15 countries.
“In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles,” the pontiff told the gathering.
“You unite people, because laughter is contagious,” the Pope said, adding that he has prayed for 40 years for a good sense of humor, joking at the end, saying, “pray for him, not against.”
“You manage to make people smile even while dealing with problems and events, large and small. You denounce abuses of power; you give voice to forgotten situations; you highlight abuses; you point out inappropriate behavior,” Pope Francis added.
The 87-year-old pontiff, who also shook hands with the comedians individually afterwards, said that humor can overcome “social barriers” and help create “connections among people.”
“While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you!” the Pope said.
Pope Francis also said it was okay to “laugh at God” in the same way “we play and joke with the people we love.”
Francis’ meeting on Friday with “artists from the world of humor” is part of his latest attempt to engage with contemporary culture, with the Vatican explaining in a statement that the meeting underlines how the “art of comedy can contribute to a more empathetic and supportive world.”
It follows on from his landmark visit to the Venice Biennale and his meeting last year with artists and directors in the Vatican. The meeting also comes with the pope facing question marks over his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics after reportedly using a homophobic slur at private meetings.
Others from the US contingent included Tig Notaro, Jim Gaffigan with several Catholics among them: both Gaffigan and Colbert identify as Catholics while Fallon and O’Brien were both raised in the Catholic Church.
Also in attendance was Julia Louis-Dreyfus who told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that she had “no idea” what to expect.
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