Pope: You can even laugh at God, like joking with a loved one

The Pope speaks to a global gathering of comedians received in audience at the Vatican. "In your own way you unite people, because laughter is contagious. You know how to awaken the critical sense without spreading alarm or terror and without humiliating anyone. Help us, with a smile, to see reality with its contradictions, and to dream of a better world'".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "Can one also laugh at God? Of course, and this is not blasphemy: one can laugh, as one plays and jokes with the people we love. And the Jewish sapiential 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 said this morning during a somewhat unusual audience held in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican. In an initiative promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the pontiff met 107 humour artists from 15 different countries.

Along with a large group of comedians very popular in Italy - there were also faces known to the global audience: from the actress Whoopi Goldberg to stars of the American networks, such as Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Chris Rock.

And then other faces significant for their backgrounds such as the French-Algerian stand-up comedian Redouane Bougheraba or the German actress of Turkish origin Meltem Kaptan. The only Asian name on the list circulated by the Holy See is that of East Timorese artist Rivelino Barro Gonçalves. 

"You are among the most loved, sought after, applauded. Certainly because you are good; but there is also another reason: you have and cultivate the gift of making people laugh,' Francis said, weaving a warm praise of this form of entertainment.

'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. In your own way you unite people, because laughter is contagious. It is easier to laugh together than alone: joy opens one to sharing and is the best antidote to selfishness and individualism. Laughing also helps to break down social barriers, to create connections between people'.

To these artists Francis ideally delivered the famous prayer of St Thomas More (1478-1535) that begins with the words: Give me, Lord, a sense of humour. "I like to pray every day with these words," he recounted, "It is a grace I ask for every day, because it makes me take things in the right spirit.

"You also succeed in another miracle," the Pope added, "You manage to make people smile even when dealing with problems, small and big facts of history. You denounce the excesses of power; you give voice to forgotten situations; you highlight abuses; you point out inadequate behaviour... But without spreading alarm or terror, anxiety or fear, as much communication does; you awaken the critical sense by making people laugh and smile. You do this by telling life stories, by narrating reality, according to your own original point of view; and in this way you speak to people about small and big problems'.

Francis also quoted a passage from Scripture (Proverbs 8:30-31) where it is told that divine Wisdom "played before God". "He practised your art for the benefit of none other than God himself, the first spectator of history," the Pontiff commented.

"Remember this: when you manage to make intelligent smiles gush from the lips of even a single spectator - this I will now say is not heresy - you also make God smile". Besides, he added, God himself seems to joke with Abraham and Sarah when he promises them a son when they are old and without offspring. So much so that Genesis explains the name Isaac in Sarah's words: 'God has given me cause for joyful laughter' (Gen 21:6).

'Humour does not offend, it does not humiliate, it does not nail people to their faults,' Francis said. 'While today communication often generates divisions, you know how to bring together different and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you. Continue to cheer people up,' he concluded, 'especially those who find it hardest to look at life with hope. Help us, with a smile, to see reality with its contradictions, and to dream of a better world'.