In response, the magazine’s protagonist, the Franciscan monk William of Baskerville, argues that even saints spoil comedy, pointing to Saint Maurice, who complained after being put to death by a Muslim sultan that His tub was also very cold, after which the Sultan dipped his hand in the water and got burnt.
On Friday, another incarnation of the Franciscan – this one a Pope named Francis – settled that discussion by handing out a vigorous endorsement of humor at the Vatican via a website hosting more than 100 comedians, making an experience maximally enjoyable. Told. Just a little “weird”.
When asked about the usefulness of inviting comedians to the Vatican, actress and comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus, famous for her roles in the Vatican, said: seinfeld, VeepAnd saturday night time living“I don’t know, I just found the whole thing so weird,” he instructed Newshounds.
Then, she described Friday’s meeting with Pope Francis as “a wonderful experience,” calling the Pope “a lovely” person who is “obviously doing his best, and I appreciate that.”
Similarly, Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan also described the fact that comedians were invited to meet the Pope as “weird”.
“It was all comedians, so it was like a meeting of every poorly behaved kid in church, and they stuck them all in a room and they thought it would be a good idea,” he said, “Everyone had ants.” pants. Everyone was excited. Then, it was like, having a lot of funny people in a room, you know, it escalated into like ADHD.
American television host, comedian and producer Conan O’Brien said he was also confused as to why comedians were invited, saying, “For most of my career I’ve been saying, why am I here ?”
“It happens over and over again, when I’m in the White House, any time I’m in one of these situations, it’s always the same thing. I say, why am I here? I don’t belong. I think a lot of us felt that way,” he said.
O’Brien, who grew up in an Irish Catholic country, is best known for hosting late-night talk shows Late Night With Conan O’Brien And tonight’s performance Conan O’Brien on NBC said that many of his fellow comedians have been friends for years.
In total, 107 comedians and comedians attended Friday’s meeting with the Pope, organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education, along with some of their countrymen and friends. Pope Francis greeted everyone closest to me with his accent.
In addition to O’Brien, other US citizens attending the meeting included well-known TV and comedy personalities Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Jim Gaffigan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia, Kathleen Madigan and Were. David Sedaris.
Goldberg later told reporters that the meeting with the Pope “went good” and, when asked if he had convinced the Pope to make a guest appearance sister’s business 3At a recent manufacturing event, she joked, “I don’t think this is the right place to bring this up, but I’ll probably send an email.”
O’Brien joked in his reaction to the click that during the entire meeting, “We’re all looking at each other, thinking, Something’s wrong! We’re in this beautiful, beautiful place in the Vatican, and for some reason they let comedians in, which is always a mistake, always a mistake!
Pope Francis noted in his prepared remarks that their target market included “the most loved, desired and popular” TV and comedy personalities from around the world, adding that this is not the best because they are absolutely perfect at what they do. . They do, but in addition, “You have a knack for making people laugh and you develop that.”
“Amidst so much depressing news, we are immersed in so many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles. You are one of the few people who has the ability to talk to all kinds of people of different generations and cultural backgrounds,” he said.
He noted that comedians are able to unite society, “because laughter is contagious,” and “it is easier to laugh together than alone.”
“Happiness opens us to sharing and is the best antidote to selfishness and individualism. “Laughter breaks down social barriers, creates connections between people and allows us to express emotions and ideas, contributing to the building of shared culture and spaces of freedom,” he said.
Describing their skills as a gift, Pope Francis said the humor they serve is helping spread entertainment and overcome difficulties and day-to-day stress, helping society overcome both huge and small problems with a smile. It is helping to bear with me.
“You condemn abuse of power; You give voice to forgotten situations; You expose abuses; You point out inappropriate behavior,” he said, praising their skill in doing so “without spreading anxiety or panic, worry or fear, as other forms of communication do.”
Quoting a passage from Proverbs about God pleasing mankind, he said, “Remember this: When you succeed in drawing a smile from the lips of even a spectator, you make God smile too. Are.”
Francis pointed to the fine line between being entertaining and offensive, saying that true humor “does not insult, demean, or degrade people according to their imperfections.”
“How much we need to learn from you!” He said, “The laughter of humor is never directed against anyone, but is always inclusive, purposeful, open, evoking sympathy, empathy.”
The Pope said it is also possible to “laugh at God”, adding that “this is not blasphemy” but comes down to teasing God “just as we play and joke with the people we love.”
“It is possible to do this without hurting the religious sentiments of believers, especially the poor,” he said.
At the ensuing meeting, when comedians roped in newshounds willing to talk with him, Louis-Dreyfus described the Pope as “a wonderful person”. This is absolutely clear; A wonderful, kind, smiling face.”
She said she was also touched by his comments, saying, “I thought his comments were really beautiful. I’m very happy to be here,” and the speed with which she reached the Vatican during the holidays, “is quite remarkable to be here under these circumstances.”
Louis-Dreyfus said that he believed the Pope used to be humorous and that he believed the target market with him “values the power of comedy.”
Describing his brief handshake with Pope Francis, comedian, television host, actor and political commentator Stephen Colbert, who is Catholic, said he spoke to the Pope in broken Italian and told the Pope that he Have completed the English study of audiobooks. His memoir, “Life.”
“I got the weirdest call from my manager, he says, ‘Baby, I hope you’re sitting, because you’re not going to believe who just called! I got a call from the Vatican asking if you were the Pope in English. Will you be the person reading the audio book?
Colbert, best known for hosting the satirical Comedy Central program colbert document and for his CBS Communications program The Overdue Show with Stephen ColbertMentioned that he worked on the project over Christmas, saying, “It was great,” and that he was given a bundle to understand about Pope Francis through reading his memoirs.
“I would love to interview him, but I really want to do a cooking segment with him, because he talks a lot about cooking. apparently that makes great Tortellini in Brodo,” He mentioned.
Asked why he thought comedians were invited, Colbert said, “I still don’t know why comedians are in the Vatican today,” though “I’m very grateful that we are.”
Friday’s meeting with Pope Francis also included American Jesuit Father James Martin, author of a 2012 book titled “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life.”
Martin, known for his LGBTQ+ outreach, is largely considered Colbert’s de facto pastor colbert document And he also writes extensively about the Jesuit-run united states handbookwhere Gaffigan’s wife, Jenny Gaffigan, contributes as a columnist.
He is credited with arranging the American presence at the Friday gathering between Pope Francis and comedians.
Speaking to Newshounds closest to Friday’s target market, Gaffigan said he and Colbert were contacted by organizers and asked to receive a list of names of alternative comedians who would be willing to participate.
“They were like, we don’t want anyone important doing anything, and we were like, uh, so you can’t invite any comedians!” He attempted to mold society into something he believed could be respectable, Gaffigan said.
“Comedians are very stupid, but they’re also very honest… and you know, they have a healthy ego, so it’s like, the Pope wants to meet me, why not? It was good,” he said.
Gaffigan, who performed at the International Assembly of Families in Philadelphia in 2015, which Pope Francis attended, described the Pope as “very accessible” and talked about being a Catholic comic.
He said, “I think it’s the most punk-rock thing you can do, to be a comedian who also admits they believe in God, and then being Catholic, you’re asking for trouble. ”
He spoke about the diverse backgrounds of the attendees, noting that some belonged to other religions, others identified as atheist or agnostic, though he noted that without reference to their diversities, “it was universal. , it’s warmth, it’s openness, even with extreme” so many problems exist and will exist. It was amazing.”
When asked whether going to church influenced his comedy, Gaffigan said that much of Christianity “is very universal” and that even non-believers have much in common with figures such as Moses, Abraham and the apostles.
“It can be a unifying thing that anyone who is agnostic or atheist can embrace the idea of humor,” he said, noting that his personal religious theme “isn’t to make fun of God, or those Don’t make fun of people who are atheists.” According to a certain belief, it is making fun of humans.”
“Sometimes I see a clip and it’s like an atheist organization is using my content and I think, OK, that’s an interesting move! So, it’s just like human stupidity that’s behind most of my stuff,” he said.
O’Brien recounted his private, temporary meeting with Pope Francis, describing the pontiff as “a really kind guy” and joking that “he sat down in a beautiful chair, I got the same chair.” This is the chair I deserve.”
“It’s not like Santa Claus, when you sit on his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas,” he said, referring to the Pope’s tentative handshake. you can not do it. I thought, I was gonna sit down and say, I want a sled for Christmas! I want basketball! And they said no, so it happened quickly.”
He said, “To be in the Vatican and see it was an amazing experience, it was quite extraordinary… You Italians are doing something right, it’s amazing.”
Asked whether he would make a joke about the Pope this close to meeting the pontiff, O’Brien said, “I’d have to think about it. I think the Pope has a good sense of humor, so we’ll see what happens.”
Check out Elise Ann Allen on X: @eliseannallen
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