Irony is a medicine, not only to lift and brighten others, but also ourselves…
Pope Francis
Faith In Humor
Topic: Joy & Happiness
Irony is a medicine, not only to lift and brighten others, but also ourselves, because self-directed humor is a powerful instrument in overcoming the temptation toward narcissism. Narcissists are continually looking into the mirror, painting themselves, gazing at themselves, but the best advice in front of a mirror is to laugh at ourselves. It is good for us. It will prove the truth of the proverb that there are only two kinds of perfect people: the dead, and those yet to be born.
Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 13 March 2013 until his death in 2025. He has the distinction of being the first pope to be a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and he is the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere. Additionally, he is the first pope born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century papacy of Syrian pope Gregory III.
Before becoming Pope, Francis led a significant career within the Church, known for his humility, emphasis on God's mercy, concern for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue. His papacy has been marked by a shift towards more open and compassionate stances on social issues such as immigration, the environment, and the importance of inclusivity within the Church.
Pope Francis continues to be a transformative figure in the Catholic Church, encouraging dialogue, compassion, and a renewed focus on social justice. His groundbreaking leadership as the first Jesuit pope and his connections to various firsts in the history of the Papacy reflect a commitment to bridging gaps and fostering understanding across different cultures and traditions. His teachings and actions resonate with millions around the world, making him one of the most influential religious leaders of our time.
Hope: The Autobiography
Francis, Pope. Hope: The Autobiography. Translated by Richard Dixon, Random House, 2025. [Francis, Pope. “There Is Faith in Humor.” Awakin Weekly, curated by ServiceSpace, 28 Apr. 2025, email newsletter.]
Pope Francis
Theme: Humor
About This Pope Francis Quotation [Commentary]
Pope Francis writes, “Irony is a medicine, not only to lift and brighten others, but also ourselves,” and he describes self-directed humor as “a powerful instrument in overcoming the temptation toward narcissism.” His guidance is direct and practical: instead of gazing at ourselves or trying to perfect our image, we are better off laughing at ourselves. This kind of humor does not diminish us—it makes space for truth and healing. “It is good for us,” he says, reminding us that laughter is not a distraction from the spiritual life but a necessary part of it.
He acknowledges that sadness and discouragement are part of life and part of “every path of hope and every path toward conversion,” but warns against allowing melancholy to harden the heart. Humor helps prevent this. Pope Francis reflects on how even priests can fall into bitterness and rigidity, appearing “more authoritarian than authoritative, more supercilious than joyful.” Yet he notes that many clergy also enjoy telling jokes and often become the object of them. His message is that joy and humanity are not weaknesses—they are essential.
Pope Francis turns to children and the elderly as examples of those who retain the “gift of laughter and tears.” He says that when we lose the ability “to cry seriously or to laugh passionately,” we begin to lose our humanity. In this light, irony and humor are not distractions from our responsibilities—they are reminders of who we are. Those who can laugh at themselves are less likely to cling to status or image. “The best advice in front of a mirror,” he says, “is to laugh at ourselves.”
Additional Pope Francis Quotations from Hope: The Autobiography [Excerpted Passage]
“Today, nothing cheers me as much as meeting children. When I was a child, I had those who taught me to smile, but now that I am old, children are often my mentors. The meetings with them are the ones that thrill me the most, that make me feel best.
And then those meetings with old people: Those elderly who bless life, who put aside all resentment, who take pleasure in the wine that has turned out well over the years, are irresistible. They have the gift of laughter and tears, like children. When I take children in my arms during the audiences in St. Peter’s Square, they mostly smile; but others, when they see me dressed all in white, think I’m the doctor who has come to give them a shot, and then they cry.
They are examples of spontaneity, of humanity, and they remind us that those who give up their own humanity give up everything, and that when it becomes hard to cry seriously or to laugh passionately, then we really are on the downhill slope. We become anesthetized, and anesthetized adults do nothing good for themselves, nor for society, nor for the church.”
—Francis, Pope. Hope: The Autobiography. Translated by Richard Dixon, Random House, 2025.
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