The Surprising Humor of John XXIII

[UrbScotty]

Even at that early stage of my Jesuit training, I had already heard John’s most famous joke. When the pope was innocently asked by a journalist how many people worked in the Vatican, he deadpanned, “About half of them.”

But my favorite story in Fesquet’s delightful book was of John XXIII visiting a hospital in Rome called the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, run by a group of Catholic sisters. As Fesquet tells the story, “The mother superior, deeply stirred by the papal visit, went up to him in order to introduce herself”:

“Most Holy Father,” she said, “I am the superior of the Holy Spirit.”

“Well, I must say you’re very lucky,” replied the pope. “I’m only the Vicar of Christ.”

http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-surprising-humor-of-st-john-xxiii.html

[okasha]

1. I think I'd be skeptical

of a holy man (or woman) who didn't laugh.

[ColesCountyDem]

2. He's the first Pope I remember.

Although I was a small child, the image of him that I retain in my memory is of a man who smiled. Although I've tried Googling it for a source and can't find one, I also remember a quote attributed to John XXIII: "I believe that God enjoys the sounds of both laughter and small children, even in Church".