«Can we even laugh at God? Of course, how to play and joke with the people we love. The Jewish wisdom and literary tradition is a master in this! It can be done but without offending the religious feelings of believers, especially the poor.” Pope Francis approves satire, praises humour, encourages laughter because it helps to create a good mood especially in dark moments like this one marked by wars and other disasters. It is in front of over one hundred actors and comedians from all over the world, including the Italians Enrico Beruschi, Jerry Calà, Geppi Cucciari and Luciana Littizzetto, invited to the Vatican for a special audience, that Bergoglio added off the cuff to the prepared speech: «Remember that you manage to brighten the day when you manage to arouse intelligent smiles and in this way you make God smile too.” In addition: «And this is not heresy».
Pope Francis meets comedians in the Vatican, among them Carlo Verdone and Luciana Littizzetto
In the front row in the Clementina room there were Giovanni and Giacomo applauding. The third of the trio, Aldo, was not there. Francesco received applause and at the end a standing ovation, everyone standing to thank him. Francis asked to pray “for him and not against”, promising to send to the guests the prayer on the good humor of Saint Thomas More which he has recited every day since he was ordained.
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«In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in so many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread serenity and smiles. You are among the few who have the ability to speak to very different people, from different generations and cultural backgrounds. In your own way you unite people, because laughter is contagious. It is easier to laugh together than alone: joy opens up sharing and is the best antidote to selfishness and individualism. Laughing also helps to break social barriers, to create connections between people »she repeated.
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At the end of the meeting Geppi Gucciari greeted him and gave him a bitter while the comedians and actors lined up: some brought him a footballer’s t-shirt, some asked him to bless a rosary or photos of his children and some even a photo of himself with Pope Bergoglio, drawing laughter from those present. A magician showed him how to make a coin disappear by magic, Woopy Gooldberg, the legendary “sister act” never tires of telling him thanks for this “gift”.
Once the appointment with the comedians was over, the Pope returned to Santa Marta where he met some bishops and then took the helicopter to go to the G7. Geppi Cucciari, as he was making his way out of the Apostolic Palace, blurted out a joke: «This morning you saw us comedians and in the afternoon you will see the world’s greats gathered at the summit. Who knows who she will have more fun with.”
The cartoons about Pope Bergoglio in the magazine of the Franciscans of Assisi: «Smiling is a beautiful gift»
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