Stephen Colbert welcomes Pope Francis to America with some choice Catholic humor

(Image credit: Late Show)

published 24 September 2015

Pope Francis had his first full day in the U.S. on Wednesday, and Stephen Colbert, one of the most visible Catholics on TV, was ready with some irreverent humor and Catholic jokes on Wednesday's Late Show. Not all of them were religious in nature: The pope apparently fell asleep during his White House reception, "but cut the guy some slack, he's got jet lag," Colbert said. "He was in Cuba yesterday, and the time difference is... 1952." And he even made fun of the pope's English.

But there were plenty of one-liners for people familiar with Catholic culture or practices. "What the pontiff is asking is for all of us to change our position on carbon emissions," Colbert said of Francis' advocacy for fighting climate change, "which is surprising, because for years, the church has had a clear emissionary position." That one earned him both a side five and a benediction. Colbert had some fun with Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who is boycotting the pope's address to Congress, and also a request of him. You can watch below. Peter Weber

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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.