Jim Gaffigan tells Conan how he learned he's doing a stand-up show for Pope Francis

Jim Gaffigan is doing stand-up for Pope Francis

(Image credit: Conan)

About six months ago, comedian Jim Gaffigan told Conan O'Brien, he was invited to an event in Philadelphia that involved Pope Francis. "I though, this is great," he said. "My wife is very Catholic, like a Shiite Catholic, so she was thrilled." And it wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that he learned he is supposed to perform a stand-up routine in front of the pope — and more than a million other people. Other performers include Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli. Mark Wahlberg is hosting the event.

That threw Conan for a loop. "Wait a minute, why is Mark Wahlberg hosting?" he asked. Because it's a Catholic event, Gaffigan noted. "Catholic event?!" Conan said. "I've heard nothing. My phone hasn't rung once. I'm, like, a super Catholic, Irish Catholic...." Gaffigan, who has five kids, asked Conan how many he had, then laughed when Conan held up two fingers. "It's weird," Gaffigan said. "I felt like they asked me because I was like the only comedian that admitted they believed in God, or something." Well, Slate did just name him "America's top Christian comedian," so. Watch Gaffigan discuss his upcoming big show, and why he finally moved his family from their two-bedroom apartment, below. Peter Weber

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.