In what could be the most divine laugh track ever conceived, Pope Francis is hosting a global gathering of comedians this Friday. Yes, you read that correctly—His Holiness is convening a conclave, but this time, instead of cardinals shuffling in solemn stoicism, it's comedians ready to crack some holy jokes.

This sanctified stand-up summit is expected to draw over 100 comedians from around the globe, with a lineup that reads like the guest list at a Comedy Central roast. Confirmed American attendees include Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Jim Gaffigan, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tig Notaro—each leaving their audience-pleasing pews in pursuit of divine laughs.

According to the Vatican, the central aim of this ethereal engagement is to promote a message of peace, love, and solidarity. It's as if they're hoping for a miracle where punchlines puncture through political tensions and zingers resolve world conflicts. The Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education, the master architects behind this holy hootenanny, emphasize the role of comedy in fostering empathy and support in these trying times. After all, what's a better way to promote world peace than a Chris Rock monologue?

The era of Pope Francis infusing contemporary culture into the typically stoic Vatican continues unabated. This comedy conclave follows his previous engagements with the modern world, including a visit to the Venice Biennale and meet-and-greet events with artists and directors. Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest known for his insights on humor, is also set to attend—a perfect theological companion for a gathering where the motto is likely, "Laugh, lest ye be smote."

The comedians are an eclectic flock, with the largest contingent — 67 participants — hailing from Italy. Additional comedy pilgrims will make their pilgrimage from far and wide, including East Timor, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. It’s truly an exodus of jesters, each ready to break bread and, presumably, each other’s comedic stylings.

You can imagine the sacrosanct cross-talk backstage. Whoopi Goldberg might propose a sequel to the sequel, having already offered Pope Francis a cameo in “Sister Act 3” during a prior meeting. Meanwhile, the Pope might jest about how being infallible cuts through the hecklers like nothing else.

Indeed, this gaggle of global comedians will not only put their funnyman faces to the test but will also likely learn something profound about humor's power in a fractured world. So if you hear muffled laughter emanating from the Vatican this Friday, rest assured, it's not an angelic choir practicing avant-garde hymns—it’s just the not-so-holy comedians proving that laughter, indeed, is the best medicine. Or as Pope Francis might quip, "In these times, may our jokes be as big as Chris Rock’s, and may the peace of laughter be with you."