Patrick Kielty recalls shocking moment with Pope this summer
- Patrick Kielty met Pope Francis in June during a special audience for international comedians and artists at the Vatican.
- He experienced a painful facial swelling due to DIY work at home, which led to the Pope's visible recoil upon their meeting.
- After the encounter, Kielty discovered he had shingles, expressing concern about potentially transmitting it to the Pope.
In June, Patrick Kielty, an Irish TV presenter, participated in a unique audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, which included 100 international comedians and artists. The experience was surreal for Kielty, who initially thought the invitation was a joke. Among the attendees was actor Ardal O'Hanlon, and the atmosphere was lively, especially with Whoopi Goldberg's presence, who was notably popular that day. Prior to the meeting, Kielty had been engaged in DIY work at home, which resulted in painful swelling of his face. This condition became apparent when he met the Pope, leading to a moment where Pope Francis visibly recoiled upon seeing Kielty without his sunglasses. The incident left Kielty feeling anxious about the implications of his appearance. After the meeting, Kielty discovered that he had shingles, which heightened his concern about the possibility of having transmitted the virus to the Pope. This realization added a layer of horror to the surreal experience of meeting the Pope, as he worried about the health risks involved. Fortunately, Kielty later learned that Pope Francis was in good health the following week, alleviating some of his fears. Reflecting on the encounter, Kielty described it as a surreal experience, highlighting the unexpected nature of the meeting and the unusual circumstances surrounding it.