Jun 11, 2024 - World

Pope to headline audience with top U.S. comedians

Rebecca Falconer

Pope Francis arrives for an audience to the Christian associations of Italian workers (ACLI) on June 1, 2024 at Paul-VI hall in The Vatican. — Pope Francis during a Vatican event earlier this month. Photo: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis will host some of the world's top comedians at the Vatican on Friday — including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert, the Vatican announced.

Why it matters: The pope "has acknowledged the power the art of comedy has to contribute to a more empathetic and sympathetic world," the Vatican News notes.

The big picture: Francis' audience with more than 100 entertainers will "celebrate the beauty of human diversity" and "promote a message of peace, love and solidarity," while promising to "be a moment of meaningful intercultural dialogue and sharing of joy and hope," per a Vatican statement.

The intention is to "establish a link" between the Catholic Church and comedic artists, according to the statement.

Full U.S. lineup:
1. Stephen Colbert
2. Jimmy Fallon
3. Jim Gaffigan
4. Whoopi Goldberg
5. James Martin
6. Tig Notaro
7. Chris Rock
8. Conan O'Brien

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Pope to headline audience with top U.S. comedians

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