The Pope and 100 Actors Enter a Room: Watch Pope Francis meet Colbert, Conan, Whoopi and more.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Before flying to southern Italy’s Puglia region to meet world leaders at the Group of Seven summit, Pope Francis received a very different audience Friday at the Vatican to celebrate the importance of humor.

The pontiff welcomed more than 100 comedians from 15 countries, including American celebrities Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien.

“In the midst of so much dark news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles,” Francis told the actors.

“You bring people together, because laughter is contagious,” he continued, jokingly asking: “Please pray for me: for, not against!”

Francis emphasized that in creation, “divine wisdom practiced your art for the benefit of none other than God himself, the first spectator of history,” with God rejoicing in the works he had made.

“Don’t forget that,” he added. “When you manage to bring intelligent smiles to the lips of even a single spectator, you also make God smile.”

Francis also said it was acceptable to “laugh at God” in the same way that “we play and joke with the people we love.”

After giving his speech, François greeted all the actors individually, sharing laughter and jokes with some of them.

“It was great, it was really quick and really loving, and it made me happy,” Goldberg said afterward.

O’Brien noted that the pope “spoke in Italian, so I’m not sure what was said.”

“Being in that room and being with all my fellow comedians, some of whom I’ve been good friends with for many years, in that environment was quite strange,” the TV host added. “We were all wondering: How did this happen? Why are we here and when are they going to deport us?

Colbert admitted that his Italian “is really bad, I wish I could speak it better.” But he managed to remind the pope that he had produced the audiobook of his memoirs.

“It was wonderful, he will never forget me,” he joked.