The Pope welcomed comedians from different parts of the world to the Vatican. “Although today’s communication often creates contradictions, you know how to combine different and sometimes opposing realities. The laughter of humor is not against one, but always inclusive, active, awakening openness, sympathy and empathy,” said the Pope. His speech.
Mariangela Jaguraba – Vatican News
This Friday (14/06), Pope Francis welcomed around two hundred comedians from around the world in the Sala Clementina at the Vatican. Among them are some names from Brazil, such as Fabio Borchat, Cacao Protacio and Christian Versum, and from the United States, actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg.
The Pope welcomed the artists and thanked the members of the Dicastery for Culture and Education for preparing the gathering.
Laughter is contagious
I have a lot of respect for you artists who express yourselves in humor, irony and ironic language. You are the most loved, sought after and admired among all professionals working in television, cinema, theatre, print media, music, social media etc. Of course you’re nice, but there’s another reason: you have a gift for making people laugh.
Actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg greets the Pope
“In the midst of so much sad news, as we are engulfed in so many social and personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles. “You are one of the few who have the ability to speak to very different people from different generations and cultural backgrounds,” the Pope said.
“It helps to express emotions and thoughts, to create a shared culture and to create spaces of freedom. You remind us that homo sapiens and homo lutens; give fun and laughter to human life, to express ourselves and to learn. Give meaning to situations”, highlighted Francisco.
Italian comedians Lino Bunfi and Christian De Sica
Later, the Pope said to artists that their talent is “a precious gift. With a smile, it spreads peace in hearts, among people, helps to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.” A smile “helps find relief in irony and face life with humor.” The pope quoted the words of St. Thomas More: “Lord, give me a sense of humor.” “Do you know this prayer?” the Pope asked the comedians. “You should know it,” he instructed his superiors to advertise to all artists. “Lord, give me a sense of humor.” “It is a grace that I ask for every day because it makes me face it with the right attitude,” the Pope said.
Awaken critical thinking by making yourself laugh and smile
By making people smile and laugh, you raise critical awareness. You do this by telling life stories, describing reality according to your original vision; In this way, they talk to people about big and small issues.
Luciana Liticetto is an Italian actress and comedian
“According to the Bible, at the origin of the world, when everything was created, divine wisdom practiced its art for the benefit of God, the first observer of history,” the Pope quoted a passage from the book of Proverbs. : “I was with him, a master builder, I was his charm every day, I played in his presence all the time; I played on the face of the earth, I rejoiced in mankind.” “Remember this: when you put a wise smile on the lips of a visitor, you also make God smile”, said Francisco, not a heresy.
Although communication today often creates contradictions, you know how to bring together different and sometimes opposing facts. How we should learn from you! The laughter of humor is not “against” one, but is always inclusive, active, awakening openness, sympathy and empathy. Please ask God for the grace of a sense of humor.
Face life with confidence
The Pope recalled the passage from the Book of Genesis, when God promised Abraham that a son would be born to him within a year. Sarah asked and laughed inside. God gave me something to smile with joy,” she said. So they named their son Isaac, which means “laughs.”
“Is it even possible to laugh at God? Of course yes, it is not blasphemy, we can laugh as we joke and joke with people we love,” the pontiff said. “Hebrew wisdom and literary tradition excelled in this,” he said. However, “this can be done without offending the religious feelings of the faithful, especially the poor.”
“Dear friends, may God bless you and your art. Continue to inspire people, especially those who have a hard time facing life with confidence. With your smile, help us see reality with its contradictions and dream of a better world”, he concluded.
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”