Stephen Colbert, the charismatic host of “The Late Show,” recently had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet none other than Pope Francis himself. This extraordinary encounter occurred during a papal audience with artists from the world of comedy.
Colbert, known for his witty jokes and sharp humor, admitted that he has made his fair share of jokes about the Catholic Church in the past. However, he was thrilled to discover that his jokes hadn’t been translated into Italian, allowing him to have an unforgettable experience with the Pope.
The journey began when Colbert received an email from his Jesuit friend, Father Jim Martin, who was instrumental in organizing the group of American comedians attending the papal audience. The star-studded delegation included Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Birbiglia, Jim Gaffigan, Tig Notaro, Whoopi Goldberg, David Sedaris, Chris Rock, Ramy Yousef, Jimmy Fallon, and Conan O’Brien.
After filming two shows on Wednesday, Colbert and his sister traveled to Rome, where they joined the rest of the group for a memorable dinner prepared by Chef Sarah Chicolini. This delightful meal, consisting of an astounding five pasta courses, left everyone feeling satisfied and energized for the upcoming meeting.
Before the main event, the comedians were entertained by clowns, although Colbert humorously admitted that they weren’t as funny as expected. However, the true highlight occurred when they gathered in the Apostolic Palace, where the Pope conducts his work. The palace itself was a sight to behold, adorned with gold and marble.
During their time with the Pope, Colbert and his fellow comedians had the chance to take a photo together, which they jokingly staged to distract the guards while others attempted to decode the Vatican’s rumored Illuminati manuscripts.
But the most profound and touching moment came when Pope Francis addressed the comedians with a speech that emphasized the power of their craft. The Pope articulated that when a comedian manages to bring a smile to even one person’s face, they also bring a smile to God.
Colbert, who has often wondered whether his comedic work aligns with his faith, was genuinely moved by the Pope’s words. He had the opportunity to speak personally with Pope Francis, expressing his gratitude for the chance to read the audio book of the Pope’s memoir in English.
Although the Pope may not have been fully aware of Colbert’s achievements in the entertainment industry, he graciously responded to Colbert’s introduction. The host jokingly recounted that Pope Francis likely thought, “We couldn’t get a Tom Hanks?!”
Ultimately, Colbert was relieved to hear that his comedy does indeed bring a smile to God’s face. In a lighthearted exchange, Colbert even shared a mock conversation with God, who expressed appreciation for Colbert’s material and admitted to being a viewer of “The Late Show.”
With this unforgettable experience behind him, Colbert will continue to entertain audiences on his beloved talk show. His genuine encounter with Pope Francis underscores the profound impact comedy can have, not only on individuals but on a spiritual level as well.
So, the next time you tune into “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” remember that his humor isn’t just making viewers laugh, but also making God smile.
