No one has a better grasp on religious issues than tweeting Hollywood celebrities.
Pope Francis waves to the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who chose the name of Francis is the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
The hours leading up to – and following – the naming of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, as Pope Francis were filled with a flurry of tweets.
And no one has a better grasp on religious issues than Hollywood celebrities. Here is a sampling of the sincere insights, offbeat trivia and wisecracks tweeted on Wednesday:
Piers Morgan: "Pope Francis 1 is renowned for his 2001 visit to a hospice, in which he washed and kissed the feet of 12 AIDS patients."
Joan Rivers: "(Waiting_ for the Pope to emerge on the balcony in a white gown. Doubt he'll be singing "Don't Cry for me Argentina." A missed opportunity!"
RainnWilson: "The white smoke issuing from the Vatican indicates... wait for it... S'mores!"
Mario Lopez: "Big moment for the church & for those of us who call ourselves Catholics. I hope Pope Francis comes with an open heart & open mind."
Kathy Griffin: "I don't know about u but my conclave is exhausted. Did @CNN just say "this new pope needs no introduction" Is it Madonna?"
Alyssa Milano: "Pope Francis has just one lung."
Patricia Heaton: "I love that the pope took the name Francis!"
David Arquette: "Don't call the new pope Francis - his name is Frank - If you call him Francis he's gonna kill you."
Damien Fahey: "I know how Catholics feel about seeing the white smoke because I've been at The Olive Garden when my table buzzer went off."
Patton Oswalt: "As white smoke rises from the Vatican, Benedict's powers of flight, invisibility & eye lasers quietly leave him."
Steve Martin: "The new Pope just called! The new Pope just called!"