Jimmy Fallon mercilessly mocked over VERY controversial tribute to Pope Francis after his death

Daily Mail​

22-04-2025

Jimmy Fallon has been slated for his tribute to Pope Francis following his death after the comedian shared his pride in making the late the head of the Catholic Church 'laugh.'
Francis died on April 21 aged 88 after suffering a cerebral stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure. He had been recovering in his apartment after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia.
Since his death, there has been an outpouring of celebrity condolences from the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Antonio Banderas and Eva Longoria.
Among the tributes was a message from 50-year-old comedian and talk show host Jimmy, who sweetly recalled meeting Francis in the summer of 2024.
Taking to social media on April 21, he penned: 'It was an honor meeting Pope Francis last summer. I'm glad I made you laugh. Thank you for your encouraging words. Rest in peace.'
Jimmy's heartfelt acknowledgement, however, was quickly pulled apart by trolls who accused him of 'making it about himself.'
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one slammed: 'Never underestimate Hollywood's ability to conduct narcissism. Thank you, Fallon for reminding us.'
'You're making it about yourself, Jimmy!' another said.
A third wrote sarcastically: 'When I die, I want all my friends to post pictures of me and say how happy they are to have made me laugh.'
'Comedians congratulating themselves,' noted a fourth.
Jimmy, along with over other 100 comedians, met the Pope met at the Vatican last year, where he told them 'you can even laugh at God' while pulling a clownish gesture.
Other famous guests included the likes of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien.
'You unite people, because laughter is contagious,' the pontiff told the assembled group at the time, adding that he prayed for 40 years for a good sense of humor.
'While communication today often generates conflict, you know how to bring together diverse and sometimes contrary realities. How much we need to learn from you!' he said.
The Vatican said the comedians were invited to 'celebrate the beauty of human diversity' and that the Pope 'recognizes the significant impact that the art of comedy has on the world of contemporary culture.'
Francis made his last public appearance on Sunday, delivering an Easter blessing and making what would be his final greeting to followers from his Popemobile, looping around St. Peter's Square.
On Monday night, the Vatican released photos as he was laid out in his open coffin for the Confirmation of the Death of the Pontiff ceremony.
The ceremony, which lasted just under an hour, saw Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican camerlengo, read the official declaration of death aloud.
Francis' body was also placed in an open wooden casket in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta hotel. Two Swiss Guards stood at attention as Farrell blessed Francis with holy water.
Like Jimmy, talk show host Whoopi, 69, also recalled meeting Francis last summer as she paid tribute.
Alongside an image of the pair, the Sister Act star wrote: 'He was the closest in a long time that seemed to remember that Christ's love enveloped believer and none believer.
'He felt more like Pope John the 23rd who made belief real. Sail on Pope Francis with your love of humanity and laughter.'
Desperate Housewives actress Eva - who met the pope in 2016 - also paid tribute, writing:' Rest in Peace, Your Holiness Pope Francis. Thank you for being an ally to many of us and speaking up for the marginalized.