杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Comedians are among the most well-loved and applauded entertainers, 杏MAP导航 Francis said on Friday morning, because they 鈥渉ave and cultivate the gift of making people laugh.鈥�

With so much 鈥済loomy news,鈥� in the midst of both public and personal crises, comedians are able to spread 鈥渟erenity and a smile,鈥� and are among the few who can speak 鈥渢o very different people, of different generations and different cultural backgrounds.鈥�

Precisely because 鈥渓aughter is contagious,鈥� it can 鈥渂reak down social barriers and create connections,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, noting that comedians remind us that 鈥減layful fun and laughter are central to human life.鈥�

A precious gift

杏MAP导航 Francis told comedians they are in possession of 鈥渁 precious gift,鈥� that can spread peace 鈥渨ithin hearts and between peoples, helping us to overcome difficulties and cope with daily stress.鈥�

The Holy Father went on to highlight another 鈥渕iracle鈥� of comedians, the ability to make people smile even when tackling serious issues. 鈥淵ou denounce the excesses of power, give voice to forgotten situations, highlight abuses, point out inappropriate behaviour鈥� but without spreading alarm and terror, anxiety or fear,鈥� he told them.

Making God smile

Taking a mystical turn, 杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that in creation, 鈥淒ivine Wisdom practised your art for the benefit of none other than God Himself, the first spectator in history,鈥� with God delighting in the works that he had made.

鈥淩emember this,鈥� he told comedians. 鈥淲hen you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile.鈥�

Never 鈥榓gainst鈥� anyone

He emphasized that thinking and speaking with a sense of humour help us understand and get a sense of human nature. Humour, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渄oes not offend, does not humiliate, does not 鈥榥ail鈥� people to their faults.鈥� Unlike other forms of communication, he argued, humour is 鈥渘ever 鈥榓gainst鈥� anyone, but is always inclusive and proactive, and arouses openness, sympathy, and empathy.

In fact, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渨e can even laugh at God, just as we play and joke with those we love.鈥� But, he said, this must be done without offending the religious feelings of believers, especially the poor.鈥�

Dreaming of a better world

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address by blessing those present and their art. 鈥淐ontinue to cheer people up, especially those who find it hardest to look at life with hope,鈥� he said. 鈥淗elp us, with a smile, to see reality with its contradictions, and to dream of a better world!鈥�