I thought invite to meet the Pope was a prank. I ignored it

MARION MCMULLEN CHATS TO ARDAL O'HANLON ABOUT HIS VIP VATICAN TRIP AND HIS NEW STAND-UP TOUR

- MARION MCMULLEN

What was it like meeting Pope Francis last year?

It seems surreal, it seems implausible, but it did happen.

I got this invite out of the blue on email saying you are invited to an audience with the Pope to celebrate humour and comedians and I genuinely thought someone was taking the mickey and I ignored it.

I thought this is just some prankster having revenge for Father Ted. Then I got another email a few weeks later saying you haven't responded so I looked into it, but I still thought someone was taking the mick. I rang around a bit and I had some contacts in the church and they said it's true. Then I heard about the guest list and there were comedians from all over the world. Chris Rock was on it, Whoopi Goldberg, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon.

I'm not religious, but I was brought up a Catholic and Popes loomed large in our lives. I went along as much for my parents as anything and curiosity to go to the Vatican and see what this was all about.

What do you remember most about the day?

It was fantastic. My wife came with me and we just had a great day out with all these comedians from all over the world.

The Pope made this lovely speech about how valuable comedy is so we felt chuffed being told how important we were by the Pope.

How do you feel about turning 60 later this year?