Pope Francis surprised many by inviting comedians to the Vatican, however the value of humor has deep roots within the Catholic tradition

When Pope Francis spoke to a gaggle of top international comedians on June 14, 2024, He called them “artists“ and emphasized the worth of their talents.

For many Catholics, this meeting got here as a surprise. Traditionally, the themes of detachment, sacrifice, humility and repentance appear way more often in religious writings and sermons than the spiritual advantages of a great laugh.

But when Specialist in medieval Christian historyI’m aware that since precedent days many theologians, preachers, monks and other Christians have adopted the role of humor as a invaluable a part of Christian spirituality. Some have even develop into popular often called the patron saint of comedians or laugh.

Comedy is natural

Many Catholic saints considered laughter to be an integral a part of nature itself. For example, the Twelfth-century German nun Hildegard of Bingen, a mystical poet and musician, wrote in a poem in regards to the power of God:

I’m the rain that comes from the dew
This makes the grasses laugh with joy.

In the thirteenth century, Saint Francis of Assisi called himself “Jongleur de Dieu” – Troubadour or Court Jester of God – due to his ministry. He probably used a French reference because his mother was from France and spoke French at home. Francis and his followers went from town to town, singing God’s praises and preaching joyfully within the streets. People laughed when he preached to the birds within the treesand once he needed to politely ask a big flock to stop chirping first.

The sixteenth century nun and mystic Teresa of Avila wrote in a poem: in allusion to the voice of Jesus Christ as love:

Love once said to me:
“I know a song, would you like to hear it?”
And laughter got here from every brick on the road
And from every pore of the sky.

Humor and play are a vital a part of human nature. They provide opportunities for leisure and relief and offer a option to take care of the challenges of human life.

In the thirteenth century, the Dominican scholastic Thomas Aquinas wrote an in depth summary of theology that became some of the necessary sources of the Catholic tradition: the Theological SummaryIn it he argued that humor and other types of joyful recreation offer mind and soul the identical type of rest that the body needs.

However, Thomas Aquinas warned that such words or actions might be hurtful or indecent.

Comedy can heal

Laughing together can break down barriers between cultures and produce people together.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founding father of the Jesuits within the sixteenth century, is alleged to danced a jig To lift the spirits of a despondent man in retreat; he also praised a Jesuit novice for his healthy laugh.

In the identical century, Saint Philip Neri called patron saint of humor and joywas considered a mystic and visionary. To calm others, he made pranks and jokesonce at a gathering with shaved off half of his beard.

Some famous Catholic saints even faced death with a smile, just like the second century deacon St. Lawrence, certainly one of the the patron saints of comedians. Legend has it that when he was executed by being roasted alive on a gridiron over a hot fire, he joked along with his executioners and said: “Turn me over… I’m finished on this side!” This legend has been handed down within the official history of his life.

The Carmelite Therese of Lisieux also led a life marked by humour within the nineteenth century. Even when she died of tuberculosis on the age of 24, she is alleged to have joked with the opposite nuns and her doctor. When a priest was called to manage the last rites to her, he reportedly refused because she looked too healthy. She replied that she would attempt to look sicker the subsequent time he was called.

Popes and humor

Francis is in no way the one pope to emphasise the worth of humor in Catholic and Christian life. Pope John XXIII, who was convened the Second Vatican Counciland calls on all Catholic bishops worldwide to Series of formal meetings within the Vatican desired to modernize Catholicism, was known for his humor. When he was once asked how many individuals worked within the Vatican, he replied: “About half.”

The next Pope, Saint Paul VI – elected in 1963 – was an completed administrator known for his witOne of his papal documents handled the meaning of “Christian joy.” John Paul I, who had reigned for less than a month in 1978 and was now on his option to sainthood as a “Blessed,” was called “the smiling Pope“ due to his cheerfulness.

Pope John Paul II, the first non-Italian pope in almost 500 yearswas only 58 years old when he was elected in 1978, and he was known for his humorousness.

The German cardinal who succeeded him in 2005, Pope Benedict XVI, also appreciated the role of humor in a balanced Christian life: “Humor is indeed essential to the joy of creating.”

And in front of this audience of comedians in 2024, Francis discussed the subject of humor in additional detail in his Apostolic Letter 2018In this necessary document addressed to the whole Catholic Church, the Pope declared that holiness is inside the reach of each believer and is achieved through a lifetime of joy. The exhortation devotes a special section to humor.

At the audience with comedians on June 14, Francis, who took his name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, the troubadour of God, publicly affirmed that humor is a vital a part of a lifetime of faith for Catholics.

The meeting even ended with certainly one of the Pope's favorite prayers, for good humor, attributed to Saint Thomas More, the English Chancellor under King Henry VIII – fitting given More's legendary humorousness. When More was executed for treason in 1535, he is alleged to have asked the constable of the Tower of London to assist him up the steps of the scaffold, cracking certainly one of his last jokes: “For my descent I can adjust myself.”

The prayer asks God, amongst other things, for “a good sense of humor … to share with others.”