Pope Francis receives comedians such as Florinda Meza, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg and Jimmy Fallon

Pope Francis received more than 100 comedians, comedians and comedians from all over the world at the Vatican on June 14, reminding them that, “when they manage to make intelligent smiles emerge from the lips of a single spectator, they also make God smile.” ”.

Artists such as the Americans Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg or the Mexicans Chumel Torres and Florinda Meza (wife and partner of the famous and remembered Roberto Gómez Bolaños, Chespirito), were some of the participants in this original event that took place in the Apostolic Palace.

It should be noted that the Jesuit James Martin was the only clergyman invited to the meeting. The priest, champion of the LGBT community in the Church, was chaplain of the American news satire television program “The Colbert Report.”

“They unite people, because smiles are contagious”

At the beginning of his speech, the Holy Father expressed that comedians “have and cultivate the gift of making people laugh.” “In the midst of so much pessimistic news, immersed as we are in so many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread serenity and smiles,” he said.

Later, he highlighted that comedians also have the “ability to speak to very different people, from different generations and cultural backgrounds,” so that “they unite people, because laughter is contagious.”

“It is easier to laugh together than alone: ​​joy allows us to share and is the best antidote to selfishness and individualism. Laughter also helps break down social barriers and create bonds between people. It allows us to express emotions and thoughts, helping to build a shared culture and create spaces of freedom,” she noted.

“Your talent is a precious gift”

The Pontiff thanked comedians for helping people “overcome difficulties and cope with everyday stress” and thus be able to take “life with humor.”

The Holy Father also said that he prays a prayer from Saint Thomas More every day so that the Lord gives him a sense of humor and encouraged them to do so as well: “It is a grace that I ask for every day, because it makes me take things with caution.” good humor”.

He also highlighted that comedians achieve another “miracle”, which is to make people smile “even when they deal with problems, small and large events in history”, but without “sowing alarm or terror”, but rather “telling reality.” according to your original point of view.

For Pope Francis, “humor does not offend, it does not humiliate, it does not nail people to their defects.”

While today communication often generates oppositions, the Pontiff continued, “you know how to bring together different and sometimes even opposing realities.” The laughter of humor never goes “against anyone,” he highlighted.

“Can you also laugh at God? Of course, and this is not blasphemy, how we play and joke with the people we love. Jewish wisdom and literary tradition are masters of this. It can be done, but without offending the religious feelings of believers, especially the poor,” he noted.

Finally, Pope Francis invited comedians to continue “encouraging people, especially those who find it most difficult to look at life with hope.”