Jimmy Fallon’s Pope Salute Sparks Heated Reactions
Nothing says “prime-time television” quite like Jimmy Fallon swapping his usual schtick for a white robe and a makeshift papal mitre—all to celebrate Pope Francis’s recent global tour. In a twist no one asked for, Fallon opened The Tonight Show with an overproduced video montage set to a soaring classical score, complete with scenic shots of St. Peter’s, multilingual subtitles, and the host’s solemn voiceover praising the pontiff’s “radical humility.” Viewers on social media promptly split into two camps: one side applauding Fallon’s earnest salute, the other side cringing at what they called a cringe-worthy attempt at sanctimony. According to People Magazine, hashtags like #FallonForPope trended briefly—until Variety weighed in with a scathing op‑ed labeling the bit “well‑intentioned but woefully tone‑deaf.” Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly noted that even staunch Fallon fans admitted they didn’t see this coming.
Critics weren’t shy with their hot takes. One Twitter user mockingly suggested Fallon should next do a tribute to his own ratings, while another praised him for “reminding us that pop culture and piousness can coexist—if you have the right filter.” Fallon himself acknowledged the mixed feedback during a mid‑show quip, deadpanning, “So apparently I’m either the world’s most spiritual man or its biggest ham.” That line elicited polite applause, which seemed to underline the show’s own uncertainty about whether to laugh or bow heads.
This unexpected detour from the Tonight Show’s usual lineup—games, lip‑sync battles, celebrity interviews—has left some longtime viewers feeling a little lost. The Today Show’s entertainment segment admitted that while tributes to heads of state aren’t new (see: Barack Obama’s farewell nod), a comedy host donning clerical apparel is certainly uncharted territory. Variety’s staff writer argued the bit was more “community‑theater chic” than “comedy‑club gold,” while BuzzFeed’s entertainment desk highlighted that the Pope himself has pulled off more natural handshakes than Fallon manages awkward high fives.
For all the eye rolls and praise, Fallon stays unfazed. His closing monologue promised more “reverent surprises,” which some fans have interpreted as a tacit acknowledgment that this experiment could get weirder. And let’s be honest, nobody tunes in to The Tonight Show to see perfectly predictable jokes.
So, what’s next? Will Fallon host a live rosary‑counting relay? Offer us a guided tour of his holy water sprinkler? Keep an eye on the monologue—you might just catch him reciting scripture between segments of “Water War” with Blake Shelton. Tune in next time for more blessings, blunders, and questionable wardrobe choices.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Variety, Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed Entertainment
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
