Pope Francis invites Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock and Jimmy Fallon to the Vatican

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, who says he regularly prays “Lord, give me a sense of humor,” will welcome comedians from around the world to a cultural event in Italy to “celebrate the beauty of human diversity,” the Vatican said Saturday.

Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien and Chris Rock will be among the more than 100 entertainers at the Vatican on June 14.

The Pope “recognizes the significant influence that the art of comedy has on the world of contemporary culture,” the Vatican said in a statement.

British comedian Stephen Merchant, co-writer of the television series “The Office,” and Italian comedian Lino Banfi will also be present at the event.

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The meeting will take place on Friday morning before the Pope travels to Puglia to attend the summit of heads of state and government of the Group of Seven (G7).

“The aim of the meeting between Pope Francis and the comedians of the world is to celebrate the beauty of human diversity and spread a message of peace, love and solidarity,” the Vatican said.

The audience was organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Communication.

Goldberg said in an interview last month that she had offered the pope a cameo in “Sister Act 3,” in which she will reprise her comic role as a singer who escapes to a convent and starts a choir.

“He said he would see what his time was,” Goldberg joked when asked if the Pope had accepted her offer.

Contributors: Francesca Landini, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Francis invites Whoopi Goldberg and Chris Rock to Vatican