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‘FATHER DOUGAL’ HAS finally met the Pope himself, as actor Ardal O’Hanlon, and comedians Tommy Tiernan and Patrick Kielty were amongst those invited to an audience with Pope Francis today.
The group of comedians included Hollywood A-listers Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien and Chris Rock as well, plus comics from around the world.
Pope Francis spoke about the need for all things funny in the world today, with the conflicts and challenges we face.
He said he had invited the entertainers because they have and “cultivate the gift of making people laugh”.
The Pope added that when we are in the midst of “gloomy news”, or dealing with personal crises, comedians are able to “spread serenity and a smile” and are amongst the few who can speak to “very different people, of different generations and different cultural backgrounds.”
When Father Ted met the Pope. Ardal O’Hanlon gets something blessed by Pope Francis during an audience between the Pope and comedians from around the world, including Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon. pic.twitter.com/ZafQbjXC5d
— Diarmuid Pepper (@Diarmuid_9) June 14, 2024
Pope Francis added that laughter has the capacity to “break down social barriers and create connections”.
“When you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile,” he told the audience of celebrity comics.
He willed them to go on cheering people up, and helping people to make a better world.
Simon Tierney wrote about this planned visit for The Journal yesterday, expressing his view that some “comedy washing” is afoot.
Pope Francis pulled a clownish gesture as he met with comedians from around the world, telling them it is not heresy to joke about God.
— ABC News (@ABC) June 14, 2024
Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon were all in attendance at the Vatican. https://t.co/EAhrTWPP0u pic.twitter.com/QVDWgqHitH
“It seems grossly offensive, at best, that an organisation which presided over and aided in the cover up of systemic child abuse could have the audacity to suggest it is now time for some laughs,” he posited.
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Grabs popcorn, awaits bigots :)
@Exhausted Jim: Eating too much popcorn may be the reason for your exhaustion.
@Exhausted Jim: I’m not sure the invited guests would be allowed to eat popcorn while they wait.
Father Ted comments incoming lol
Ardal, Paddy & Tommy walk into the Vatican. The pope says “Tommy, tell the Lamb of God joke that made you famous all those years ago”.
Hey Frankie. Did ye hear the one about the kiddie fiddlers, catholic cover ups and the unmarked graves. Oh wait. That’s not a joke
Jesus wept!
If he invited comedians only how was Tommy Tiernan there?
@Derek Poutch: Indeed, Derek. He’s been pumping out the same old crap for years.
The pope must be having a laugh or something :-)
The poor Pope.
Do you remember the one with Elton John?
This is dangerous..I can see the lads putting a whoopee cushion or something under his excellence, then shame on Ireland
@Sean Money: I would love to see The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show prank him
@Exhausted Jim: OK, so last week you were ‘Ulysses 31′ or some such?
@Exhausted Jim: well now ordinarily for the average Joe but I could not see them getting past the bodyguards
@Exhausted Jim: “The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show”? Who did you used to be again? You’re clearly desperate for publicity for your whatever the fk that is! I couldn’t be paid to google it coming from one with ur particular blend of nonsense ‘opinions’ that you so like to push hard.
I don’t like attacking folks on here but there needs to be pushback to the likes of you at the same time. It’s a balancing act.
@Sean Money: it would be funnier if they put whoppee Goldberg under his excellency..
@Emmet Power: oh Jesus their would be a furore of racism if they did that to her.
What a load of disrespect towards God Almighty, what sinful practice by Francis, one day soon he will stand before the Almighty and cry as he and his likes are cast into hell
@Michael Larkin: calm down Michael; it’s all made up in any case
@Michael Larkin: ah now, sure didn’t our lord love a good old joke or two?
Surely that would be an ecumenical mater!
Hope they watched their language
I taught he would of preferred An Audience with Lilly Savage
You’ll address me as my proper title ya little bollocks
Truly a bunch of jokers.
You’d think he’d be taller.
They who laughs last, laughs loudest. The world burns and Rome decides it’s best to have a bit of craic.
100 euro says you don’t know what they’re laughing at.
I do and its sickening to know that they’re laughing at you. Rome; you truly are the beast.
The laughing homophobe. Disappointed to see Tiernan et al. supporting that shower in the Vatican.
Three guys walk into a bar…
Is this some sort of joke?
(See what I did there??
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