Laughing matters: Pope's praise forour top comedians
Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon was among a 'conclave of comedians', including fellow Irishmen Tommy Tiernan and Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, who met the Pope in a private audience.
The group of around 100 comics met Pope Francis last June at the Vatican. Others who attended included Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien.
The Pope blessed the comedians and their art. 'Continue to cheer people up, especially those who find it hardest to look at life with hope,' he said. Pope Francis meets more than 100 comedians at the Vatican in June 2024. Pic: ABACA/REX/Shutterstock
According to the Vatican News, Pope Francis told the comedians they had 'a precious gift,' that could spread peace 'within hearts and between peoples, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.'
He said another 'miracle' of comedians was their ability to make people smile, even when tackling serious issues. Tommy Tiernan with Pope Francis. Pic: Vatican News
'You denounce the excesses of power, give voice to forgotten situations, highlight abuses, point out inappropriate behaviour… but without spreading alarm and terror, anxiety or fear,' he told them.
Unlike other forms of communication, he argued, humour was 'never against' anyone but was inclusive and proactive, prompting openness, sympathy and empathy. Ardal O'Hanlon with Pope Francis. Pic: Vatican News
In fact, the Pope said, 'We can even laugh at God, just as we play and joke with those we love.' Patrick Kielty with Pope Francis. Pic: Vatican News
But, he added, 'this must be done without offending the religious feelings of believers, especially the poor.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
From Jail to Fashion model - Where is he now?
If I were to say the name Jeremy Meeks, you could be forgiven for saying 'Who?' But if I mention the man known as the 'Hot Felon', you might just go 'Ah yes, I know EXACTLY who you mean'. The convicted felon with the piercing blue/grey eyes, whose police mugshot catapulted him to stardom in the fashion world in 2014, was a complete unknown in the world of beauty and celebrity, instead he was moving in circles involving gang violence and crime. But it was his visit to Stockton Police Department, California, in June 2014 that changed his entire life, after police shared his mugshot online, and the internet fell in love. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Davide Maestri/WWD/REX/Shutterstock (8870514p) Jeremy Meeks on the catwalk Philipp Plein show, Runway, Spring Summer 2018, Milan Fashion Week Men's, Italy – 17 Jun 2017 As he awaited his trial and sentencing, on felony and weapons charges, which he denied, Jeremy Meeks won the hearts of the social media world, with his tall, athletic physique and devastating 'Bad Boy' good looks. However, in 2015, he was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm, and was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and ordered to take part in a Substance Abuse Treatment Programme in jail. Mandatory Credit: Photo by GeorgWenzel/face to face/REX/Shutterstock (8842193ht) Jeremy Meeks CANNES: 24th amfAR Gala, Cannes, France – 25 May 2017 But on his release from Mendota Federal Correctional Facility, he signed a modelling contract with 'White Cross Management' which saw him strut the fashion runways in Milan, Paris and beyond, and the man who had worn the orange prison garb for so long, was now wearing designer suits and on his way to becoming one of the world's best known models. He also went on to star in a number of movies, co-designed a range of clothing, and even penned his own autobiography entitled 'Model Citizen', which was released in February 2024. Pic: AP Meeks told 'Forbes Magazine' in 2017, that he's not stopping there, either. 'I can't limit myself to one thing,' he said. 'I'm not a model. I do modeling, but I also do acting and I'm about to start recording music.' He is also a dad of two boys, his first son Jeremy Junior, born to his first wife Melissa Meeks in 2010, and a second son, Jayden, born in 2018 to Meeks and his then partner 'Top Shop' heiress Chloe Green. Jeremy Meeks with sons. Pic: Instagram Jeremy currently works with a number of charities, helping underprivileged youths avoid gang crime, and also helps ex-prisoners to turn their lives around. In an update to Instagram last month, he shared his charity work saying 'God is so good, with projects like this it makes me feel like I'm actually walking in my purpose' The man who went from convicted felon to supermodel, actor and published author in a matter of months is now helping disadvantaged youngsters youths and ex-inmates like himself, to find a life free from crime.
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Kneecap defiant at Glastonbury
Controversial rappers Kneecap rocked the Glastonbury Festival today and led the crowds in cheers of 'F**k Kier Starmer' and 'Free Mo Chara' as they took to the West Holts stage at the annual festival as one of the most hotly anticipated bands on the bill. Earlier organisers had been forced to close off access to the West Holts stage area after the site reached capacity with thousands of eager Kneecap fans vying for space to see Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh. Hundreds of diehard fans were turned away from the site as it reached its capacity with Kneecap fans arriving early in order to secure a spot to see the band. Stock image – Kneecap 'Mo Chara' caused controversy last week, after he appeared in court in London, charged with displaying a flag supporting the militant group Hezbollah during a gig at the O2 Kentish Town in London last year. The 27-year-old stood before Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, as supporters and fellow musicians, rallied outside the courthouse. Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court. Pic: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock Kneecap has called the case against them as a 'witch hunt' and one which threw their appearance at Glastonbury into doubt after calls from British Prime Minister Kier Starmer to have them removed from the list of performers for the festival. Although the BBC decided NOT to livestream the Kneecap performance, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said a recorded version will be available on demand.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Ryan Tubridy's fiancée shows off engagement ring at Joe Duffy's retirement party
The pair turned up to Joe's party in Dublin city centre pub The Duke on Friday night. A beaming Ryan called over photographers to where the couple were and said with a smile: 'I presume you want a picture of the ring?!'. Dr Kambamettu then proudly showed off the engagement ring, with the couple being congratulated by well-wishers. The former Liveline host, who left his show on Friday after nearly 27 years, was congratulated at the bash in The Duke by a collection of well-known faces and friends. Among those at the party were Miriam O'Callaghan, Aonghus McAnally, Brush Shields, Syl Fox, John McColgan, Mike Murphy, Marty Morrisey, Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick, Brenda Donohue, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy and her daughter Sive, and Charlie Bird's widow Claire Mould. Joe was earlier in the day joined on his final show by his wife June and their triplets, who are now aged 30. Former RTÉ Radio and Late Late Show presenter Tubridy recently confirmed his good news on his Virgin Radio show after 'miscommunication' between him and a Co Galway jeweller. O'Dalaigh Jewellers in Clifden said Tubridy had bought the ring for a 'very special lady' and the post, which was subsequently deleted, was accompanied by a photo of the jeweller Jonty Daly and the couple posing together outside the store. Tubridy proposed to Clare by the Atlantic shore, and the couple later celebrated in local hotels. Revealing the news on his radio show at the time, Tubridy told listeners: 'I have a little bit of news that I've been keeping to myself, to ourselves.' "I'm very, very, very happy to confirm I did get engaged to my partner Clare in the west of Ireland.' Tubridy thanked a number of listeners for sending in their well-wishes following the announcement and said 'it's a very beautiful feeling' and 'a very exciting time to be alive'. "We were surrounded by gorgeous people who we didn't know, strangers in the hotel, and people who were working around the place and got a beautiful ring organised, and the weather was gorgeous,' he said of the couple's time last week. "And it's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it. And by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first. "It's a very exciting time to be alive. I'm a very, very lucky man, and I think it's one of those beautiful moments where the world feels lighter.'
