Bill Maher jokes Pope Leo’s first prayer was to 'keep JD Vance away' from him in monologue
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bill Maher kicked off his Friday episode of 'Real Time' with a monologue about the newly elected Pope Leo XIV.
The comedian joked that among the pope’s first prayers was a plea to “keep JD Vance the hell away from me.”
The pope, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, was elected shortly after the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died just hours after meeting Vice President JD Vance.
Bill Maher roasts JD Vance in Pope Leo XIV’s 'first prayer' bit
Bill Maher opened his monologue by pointing out the nationality of the new pope.
“The other countries in the world can suck it. Because the pope’s American! How about that? American, his name is Robert Prevost, although he is transitioning to Leo XIV,” said Maher.
Referring to Pope Leo’s first address, Maher said, “Already gave his first mass. Oh, it was a good one. He said some very interesting things. He said, ‘many people perceive Christianity as absurd and meant for the weak and the unintelligent.’ Finally, a pope who gets me,” Maher added.
Maher continued his segment by addressing the political commentary following the pope’s selection.
“It’s so funny. The way we make everything partisan right away, right, we have a new pope, and immediately the Republicans say ‘too woke Pope’ and the left was like, ‘No, I think he voted Republican,’ but he was in Chicago,” Maher said, according to The Wrap.
He claimed that Pope Leo XIV had dismissed any such assumptions. “He says he does not pay attention to any of that. He takes his orders only from the Almighty and Bill Belichick’s girlfriend,” Maher joked.
Maher then joked about the pope's first prayer, suggesting that besides praying for wisdom and humility, he asked for distance from JD Vance.
“I know, when you’re a pope, you got a direct line to the big guy up there. So, you know, his first prayer as a pope, he prayed for wisdom, he prayed for humility, and he prayed keep JD Vance, the hell away from me,” Maher said. This drew laughter from the audience.
Internet splits over Bill Maher’s jokes on Pope Leo XIV
Viewers on the internet had mixed reactions about Bill Maher's take on Pope Leo XIV.
“I think this is the sentiment that could unite ALL Americans,” commented one person on YouTube.
Another wrote, “When I heard the new Pope was American, I was just glad to find out his name wasn't Trump.”
One viewer added, “Strange, I have the same prayer.”
Others criticized the joke sharply: “Zero laugh, Maher lost it,” one person posted.
“Blasphemous to say the least, not appreciated,” wrote another.
“Hey Bill, you're transitioning to hell,” commented a user.
Another viewer remarked, “Bill - I know you've got to make a living buddy but this is in such bad taste.”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
