What it’s about
Before heading to Italy’s southern Puglia region for the Group of Seven summit, Pope Francis hosted a gathering at the Vatican to highlight the importance of humor, where he welcomed over 100 comedians from 15 nations including American celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O’Brien.
Why it matters
In a world often filled with bleak news and serious issues, this event underscored the profound impact humor and joy can have on society. It also illustrated Pope Francis’s acknowledgment of the role comedians play in fostering peace and unity through laughter—a universal language.
The big picture
Pope Francis emphasized the spiritual and social significance of laughter and humor. He highlighted that humor has the power to bridge divides and unite people, stating, “You unite people, because laughter is contagious.” He humorously asked the comedians to pray for him, indicating his approachable and relatable nature.
The Anecdotes
Pope Francis touched on divine wisdom and enjoyment, recalling that, “in creation, Divine wisdom practiced your art for the benefit of none other than God himself,” and reminded the comedians that making people smile is a divine act by saying, “When you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile.”
The Moments of Connection
After his speech, Pope Francis interacted with the comedians individually, sharing laughs and jokes, fostering a memorable atmosphere of camaraderie and joy. Whoopi Goldberg considered the experience “great, very fast and really loving,” and Conan O’Brien humorously reflected on the surreal nature of the gathering, questioning how it happened and when they would be thrown out.
Comics’ Reactions
Stephen Colbert, despite language barriers, cherished the moment and recalled reminding the Pope that he had done the audiobook for his memoir, jokingly stating, “It was wonderful, he’ll never forget me.”
This gathering demonstrates Pope Francis’s unique and inclusive approach, emphasizing the relevance of humor in both personal and societal wellbeing, even as he prepares to attend global diplomatic events like the G7 summit.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.