Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni overshadowed Pope Francis with a humorous 30-minute monologue during the closing mass of the first World Day of Childhood at the Vatican.
The closing mass of the first World Day of Childhood at the Vatican took an unexpected turn when Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni stole the spotlight from Pope Francis with a 30-minute comedic monologue. The event, which aimed to celebrate and focus on the importance of children, witnessed a delightful blend of solemnity and humor.
Benigni, best known for his triple Oscar win in 1999 for his film Life is Beautiful, brought a touch of levity to the otherwise primarily religious ceremony. He began by greeting “all the important people” and pretending to have forgotten about the Pope, only to immediately turn towards the pontiff and exclaim, “I would like to come and hug you, to dance a tango here, since you are Argentinian,” much to the amusement of the gathered audience.
The comedian then recounted a humorous exchange with two Swiss Guards before entering, saying, “Mr. Benigni, you can do anything you want, except one thing: you cannot touch the Pope. A kiss, a kiss I can give, what are kisses for if you can’t give them?” Benigni then approached the Pope and kissed him on both cheeks, setting the tone for his lighthearted performance.
Throughout his half-hour monologue, Benigni seamlessly alternated between humor and advice for the children present. He playfully suggested to the Pope that they could be running mates in the next papal election and encouraged the children to nurture their dreams, hinting that among them might be the first African, Asian or even female Pope.
Prior to Benigni’s entertaining interlude, Pope Francis, 87, had concluded the first World Day of Childhood with a traditional mass in Saint Peter’s Square, attended by tens of thousands of faithful, including children and their parents. The Argentinian Pope began the mass, which was also attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, by asking the children to “pray especially for peace.” In a last-minute change, he replaced a lengthy homily with a brief catechism lesson.
The World Day of Childhood, a new initiative by the Vatican, aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children worldwide and to promote their well-being and rights. The event featured a range of activities, including workshops, discussions and cultural performances, all centered around the theme of empowering and protecting children.
With AFP