John Paul's Humor Also Great

John Paul II was once asked what he considered were the most important values for a person today to live by. He is reported to have replied, ‘A belief in Jesus; and a sense of humour’. Then he gave a wry smile and said, ‘Actually, I’d reverse the order’. (Madonna Magazine)

Here are just some of John Paul's humor which came from a deep trust in God's humor:

The Pope was praying before the Blessed Sacrament, and was being interrupted by his secretary. There was a call from the president of "a very important country," as the secretary told journalists sometime later. They assumed it was George Bush. The Pope did not answer. He continued to pray as though he had not heard a thing. An hour later the North American president called again and the secretary went back to the chapel, alerting the Pope that it must be a very important matter. "If it is an important matter, I must pray some more," John Paul II responded. (Miguel Angel Velasco, Vatican Correspondent)

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John Paul greeting Archbishop Wilton Gregory, the head of the bishops conference with, “Ah, Bishop Gregory, president of the United States,” then laughing richly. (John Blake of Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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It was the Pope’s custom, after Mass was over, to meet his congregation and have a word with each person. When he came to one fellow named Paul, he asked him what he was doing in Rome. Paul replied, ‘I am working, with your Holiness’ approval, for the canonisation of our first Australian saint, Mother Mary McKillop’. Whereupon the Pope gave Paul an encouraging smile, and whispered, ‘You know, Father, your work would be so much easier if she were Polish or Italian’. (Madonna Magazine)