Comedian Jim Gaffigan recently made an appearance on the talk show “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” and shared an unbelievable story about being invited to meet the Pope in Rome. Gaffigan revealed that he received a text out of the blue from Conan himself, asking if he would be willing to go to Rome and meet the Pope. Intrigued by this unexpected invitation, Gaffigan agreed and what followed was a surreal experience like no other.
Gaffigan recounted that his wife, his son, and he happened to be in Italy at Lake Como that week, so all they had to do was hop on a train and head down to Rome to be part of this incredible opportunity. As it turned out, they were not the only ones invited. Comedians from all over the world, including Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Steven Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and many more, were also present.
The meeting took place in the Vatican, and Gaffigan described the experience as both bizarre and awe-inspiring. To begin with, they were instructed to be outside the Vatican gates at 6:50 in the morning. Gaffigan humorously wondered why the Pope, being the Pope, wasn’t still asleep at that hour. However, as it turned out, they were informed that they were only the third item on the Pope‘s busy schedule for the day. It seemed that the Pope was an early riser, starting his day at 5:00 am.
Once inside the Vatican, they were seated in a surreal room alongside comedians from every corner of the globe. The Pope‘s meeting with the comedians was centered around the theme of humor and how it can bring people together. Gaffigan mentioned that even though the Pope‘s speech was delivered in Italian, they were provided with a printed translation, which he described as beautiful, emphasizing the unifying power of comedy.
Interestingly, the Pope‘s speech lacked an ending, prompting Gaffigan to jokingly offer some punch-ups to the written script. He handed his suggested edits to the Pope, albeit while the Pope was still speaking, adding a touch of comedy to the already surreal experience.
Gaffigan highlighted the unique atmosphere of the meeting, where it felt like every misbehaving person from various religious establishments had converged in one room. The comedy continued when famous personalities, including the likes of Jimmy Fallon, couldn’t resist entertaining their fellow comedians with impromptu bits. Gaffigan remarked that while they were trying to be respectful, Fallon launched into an eight-minute Mr. Bean-style skit, enlivening the room with laughter.
As the meeting unfolded, the comedians had the opportunity to shake hands with the Pope, during which Gaffigan observed the different reactions their colleagues had. He stated that Stephen Colbert, known for his devout Catholic faith, seemed to have a deeper connection with the Pope.
Gaffigan also shared an amusing anecdote about Fallon’s attempt to mention that he narrates audio books, including the Pope‘s, to the Pope directly. The Pope, using his hand to push Fallon along, humorously dismissed the topic. Gaffigan jokingly added that they didn’t bring any gold to offer the Pope and were spared from an encounter with the Pope‘s leprechaun alter ego.
After the meeting, the comedians were led into another room where they were bombarded by the media on the red carpet. Gaffigan wryly remarked that they thought they were going to receive a special tour of the Vatican but ended up mixing with regular tourists instead.
Despite the comedic anecdotes and lighthearted moments, Gaffigan acknowledged that the experience had its complexities. Some attendees, like Julia Louis-Dreyfus, expressed complicated feelings towards the institution and its place in the modern world. However, Gaffigan emphasized that discussing these complexities was a crucial part of the experience.
Jim Gaffigan‘s story about meeting the Pope in Rome was undoubtedly one for the books. The mixture of humor, surrealism, and personal introspection made it an unforgettable experience for all involved.
