Hale is a Democratic politician from Tennessee; he has been a Catholic nonprofit executive and helped lead faith outreach for President Barack Obama.
Pope Francis might steal the thunder while he’s in the U.S. this week, but when he leaves at the end of the month, Stephen Colbert will regain his crown as one of the most popular Catholics in America.
Many wondered what would change about Colbert’s on-show persona after he left Comedy Central last year to replace David Letterman on CBS’s The Late Show. After his first few weeks, it’s clear that one thing won’t change: Colbert’s role as the best Catholic PR man around.
Colbert isn’t shy about expressing his love for his faith on television. He recently delivered this humorous appeal asking Francis to make an appearance on The Late Show during his New York travels Thursday. Even if Francis doesn’t show up, Colbert’s got a backup: Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski.
A relatively unknown Catholic bishop might seem like an odd choice for Colbert to interview. But the 51-year-old comedian insisted on Wenski after seeing him quoted in The New York Times in response to Pope Francis’s groundbreaking environmental encyclical this past June.
See Photos of Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to U.S.
Pope Francis sits on board his Rome-bound plane after his visit to the U.S. in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Charles Mostoller—ReutersA man looks at a television screen showing Pope Francis as he celebrates the Festival of Families Sunday mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersA man holds a child as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPope Francis conducts the final mass of his U.S. visit in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Mark Makela—ReutersPeople without tickets watch on video screens as Pope Francis celebrates mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersPope Francis waves to the crowd from the pope mobile during a parade along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway before Mass in Philadelphia on Sept. 27, 2015.Michael Perez—APCrowds wait to go through security checkpoint before entering the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the Papal Mass on Sept. 27, 2015, in Philadelphia.Michael Perez—APA family from Trenton, N.J., originally from Ecuador, walk over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge ahead of a Sunday Mass to be delivered by Pope Francis in Philadelphia, on Sept. 27, 2015.Julio Cortez—APPope Francis waves to the crowd during a parade in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Rourke—APPope Francis takes the stage during the Festival of Families in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Matt Slocum—APPeople pray and watch as Pope Francis celebrates mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015. James Robinson—APThe wind lifts Pope Francis' mantle as he delivers his speech in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Tony Gentile—APPope Francis is greeted by seminarians as he arrives at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, on Sept. 26, 2015, in Wynnewood, Pa.Mel Evans—APNuns wait for Pope Francis' arrival at the Festival of Families rally along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, on Sept. 26, 2015.Carlos Barria—ReutersPope Francis kisses and blesses Michael Keating, 10, of Elverson, Pa after arriving in Philadelphia and exiting his car when he saw the boy, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at Philadelphia International Airport.Joseph Gidjunis—World Meeting of Families/APPope Francis reads his homily while celebrating high Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Julie Jacobson—APA crucifix hangs above member of the clergy who watch as Pope Francis, not shown, celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden, on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Michael Appleton—APThousands of people watch Pope Francis ride in the popemobile through Central Park on Sept. 25, 2015 in New York City.Justin Sullivan—Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives in his car for a visit to Our Lady Queen of Angels School in the Harlem neighborhood of New York, on Sept. 25, 2015.Eric Thayer—APSecurity personnel watch from the back of a vehicle as Pope Francis tours Our Lady Queen of Angels School in East Harlem in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersPope Francis and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, left, pray at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial in downtown Manhattan, on Sept. 25, 2015. John Minchillo—APPope Francis is seen on a video monitor as he signs the United Nations guest book before addressing the General Assembly at United Nations headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 25, 2015.Mary Altaffer—APPope Francis makes his way down 5th Avenue in New York City to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AFP/Getty ImagesPeople in the crowds outside of St. Patrick's Cathedral take pictures in New York City, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—The New York Times/ReutersA New York City police officer searches nuns outside St. Patrick's Cathedral prior to the arrival of Pope Francis in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Damon Winter—AP/The New York TimesPope Francis reaches out to 5th grader Omodele Ojo of East New York, Brooklyn as he is greeted as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 24, 2015, in New York.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to supporters as he arrives at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, on Sept. 24, 2015.Craig Ruttle—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis waves to the crowd from the Speakers Balcony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Doug Mills—Getty ImagesPope Francis pauses in front of a sculpture of Spanish-born Junipero Serra, the Franciscan Friar known for starting missions in California, in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015Michael Reynolds—Getty ImagesPope Francis addresses a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015.Evan Vucci—APPope Francis listens to applause before addressing a joint meeting of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015, Alessandra Tarantino—APPope Francis and Speaker of the House John Boehner speak in the US Capitol building as the Pope arrives to deliver his speech to a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, on Sept. 24, 2015. Bill Clark—EPAPope Francis performs Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis greets and blesses seminarians, novices, religious guests inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jim Bourg—ReutersPope Francis arrives for the canonization Mass for Junipero Serra at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Rob Carr—Getty ImagesSt. Mathews Cathedral is reflected in a nearby building as onlookers wait for Pope Francis to arrive for midday prayer service at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Jose Luis Magana—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPope Francis waves to the crowd from the popemobile during a parade in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Alex Brandon—APPresident Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Tony Gentile—APPresident Barack Obama and Pope Francis walk down the Colonnade before meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APFirst Lady Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama, and Pope Francis wave during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesGuests watch as President Barack Obama greets Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis speaks alongside President Barack Obama during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis during an arrival ceremony at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama accompany Pope Francis to the stage during a state arrival ceremony, on Sept. 23, 2015, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. Andrew Harnik—APPeople wait for the arrival of Pope Francis at the White House in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015.Vincenzo Pinto—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis takereceives a kiss, outside the Apostolic Nunciature to the United States in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015 .Molly Riley—AFP/Getty ImagesA man holds up a Papal flag as he waits for Pope Francis departure from the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Washington, on Sept. 23, 2015. Cliff Owen—APPope Francis waves from a Fiat 500 as his motorcade departs from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Andrew Harnik—APA crowd of supporters cheer as they attend the arrival of Pope Francis at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Lamarque—ReutersPope Francis is greeted by President Barack Obama, the First Family and children after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Md, on Sept. 22, 2015. Michael Reynolds—EPAPresident Barack Obama welcomes Pope Francis to the United States as the Pontiff greets dignitaries upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, on Sept. 22, 2015.Kevin Larmarque—ReutersPresident Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and others, greet Pope Francis upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015. Andrew Harnik—APPope Francis steps off his plane at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesClergy brace for the wind as they stand along the red carpet on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015, as the plane carrying Pope Francis arrives.Andrew Harnik—APUS Air Force honor guard unroll the red carpet before Pope Francis arrives at Andrews Air Force Base in Md, on Sept. 22, 2015.Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty ImagesPope Francis arrives to the United States from Cuba at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Sept. 22, 2015.Chip Somodevilla—Getty Images
What’s behind Colbert’s Catholic agenda? It likely isn’t politics, but an authentic, joyful, and practical faith. Colbert, who teaches Sunday school at his New Jersey parish, shared some of that faith in a recent interview with GQ:
I was raised in a Catholic tradition. I’ll start there. That’s my context for my existence, is that I am here to know God, love God, serve God, that we might be happy with each other in this world and with Him in the next—the catechism. That makes a lot of sense to me. I got that from my mom. And my dad. And my siblings.
Colbert isn’t afraid to ask others about their faith, too. He recently asked Joseph Biden, the first Catholic vice president of the U.S., how Biden’s faith has sustained him through the grief of losing his son Beau to brain cancer this past May.
“The faith doesn’t always stick with you,” Biden said. “Sometimes it leaves me.” But Biden said his faith gave him impetus to keep going: “You gotta get up. And I feel like I was letting down Beau, letting down my parents, letting down my family if I didn’t just get up.” Quoting his mother, Biden said, “as long as you are alive you have an obligation to strive, and you’re not dead until you see the face of God.”
Biden also told Colbert, whose father and two of his brothers died in plane crash, “The people I’m most drawn to are people who’ve been hurt—and I’m not going to embarrass you, but you’re one of them, buddy.”
Colbert said if he were to interview the pope, he would ask him a simple question: What do you do to get that smile on your face in the morning?” The talk-show host says that Francis gives him “hope that the message of joy that he wants to spread right now can be seen as not revolutionary, but a manifestation of something that was always there.”
Colbert’s joyful proclamation of his faith is an antidote during this age of doubt. His public Christian witness can communicate to the American people the basic notions of faith: that God loves us, Jesus walks with us, and the Church welcomes us—without exception.
TIME Ideas hosts the world's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. We welcome outside contributions. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
