'Pope Francis kissed me on the cheek – his brilliant response had everyone in stitches'

Daily Mirror

22-04-2025

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88, and Lesley Joseph has shared an amusing anecdote about the late pontiff from 2019 when she met him while filming for the BBC's Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome
Lesley Joseph has shared a hilarious anecdote about her encounter with Pope Francis, which left everyone in fits of laughter.
The Birds of a Feather star, 79, met the late Pope during the filming of BBC's Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome in 2019. She recalled being granted an audience with the Pope, who kindly told her she didn't look her age - then 72.
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However, after embracing her and planting a kiss on her cheek, the Pope had a five-word response that was followed by much amusement, according to the Mail.
Lesley said: "He burst out laughing and said, 'You still don't look 72'. At which point I put my arm on his arm and said, 'Oh, bless you!' Everybody fell about. 'I can't believe you've just blessed the Pope'."
This comes following the sad news of Pope Francis' passing on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to a cerebral stroke leading to a coma and irreversible heart failure, as reported by the Vatican.
The Pope's final testament was also revealed, including his wish to be buried "in the ground, without particular ornamentation" but with "Franciscus" inscribed, according to Sky News.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1936, Pope Francis made history as the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church when he was elected Pope in 2013.
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The Vatican confirmed that the Pope passed away less than 24 hours after making an appearance in his wheelchair before worshippers in St Peter's Square for his Easter address, according to BBC reports.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, in a statement from the Vatican, said he had "returned to the home of the Father". The statement further read: "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised."
In 2024, Lesley Joseph made a heartbreaking confession about the possibility of reprising her role as Dorien Green on Birds of a Feather, where she starred alongside Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke.
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The actress, who will be turning 80 in 2025, confessed that she doesn't know "how much longer" she can continue in the industry. Despite being as "fit as a flea," there are a "few other things" she'd like to do before hanging up her acting boots.
In a chat with the Mirror, she expressed: "The older I get the more frightened I become of forgetting my lines and making a fool of myself in front of an audience. I think I'll know when the time is right for me to retire, but it's not today."
Lesley, whose mother lived to the age of 103, previously shared her thoughts on the secret to ageing, stating in 2019 that it all boils down to exercise.
She revealed: "The secret of ageing carefully and properly is exercise, both mental and physical."