Pope Francis asks Father Dougal actor Ardal O’Hanlon “Where’s Ted?”

Irish entertainers Tommy Tiernan, Ardal O’Hanlon and Patrick Kielty were among a group of around 100 international comedians who had an audience with Pope Francis this morning.

The audience was organised by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education and included huge stars like Chris Rock and Whoopi Goldberg. However, there was only one man the Pope seemed interested in speaking to.

Apparently the 87 year-old Pontiff is a huge fan of iconic TV show Father Ted but is totally unaware that it’s fiction.

After being seated, Pope Francis immediately spotted Ardal O’Hanlon in the audience and called him forward.

“Dougal!” the visibly excited Pontiff said to the Irish comedian as he grabbed his hand. “Where’s Ted?”

A clearly bemused O’Hanlon just kept smiling and listening as the Pope held onto his hand tightly and talked incessantly about his favourite TV show.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to visit Craggy Island.” Pope Francis told him. “So many characters on such a small island. Will you show me around if I come over? I want to meet them all. I’ll stay at the parochial house of course with you, Ted, Father Jack and Mrs. Doyle. As long as Ted promises not to kick me up the arse.” he laughed.

“And I’d really love to meet John and Mary, that couple who are always fighting. They are so funny. That time when she told him ‘You’ve a face like a pair of tits’ and he replied ‘Well at least that’s one pair between us’ I swear to God himself, I thought I was going to get sick laughing. Sorry God.”

The Pope’s assistants eventually managed to loosen his grip on Ardal O’Hanlon’s hand and led the Irish comedian away as other famous faces lined up and waited their turn to meet His Holiness.

However, he showed no interest in any of them, instead watching O’Hanlon make his way towards the exit door while shouting Drink! Feck! Girls! and Arse! in his direction.