Lesley Joseph’s Cheeky Encounter with Pope Francis Leaves Everyone…

Lesley Joseph joyfully recounted her hilarious encounter with Pope Francis during the filming of BBC’s Pilgrimage, where a cheeky five-word compliment from the Pope left her – and others – laughing. Sadly, news of the Pope’s passing shines a somber light on her amusing story, as she also reflects on her future in acting.

In a rather delightful encounter that could leave anyone giggling, Lesley Joseph shared her amusing brush with Pope Francis while filming for the BBC programme, “Pilgrimage: The Road To Rome”. This 79-year-old star of “Birds of a Feather” met with the late pontiff back in 2019, and let’s just say his cheeky comment had her in stitches.

So, picture this: Lesley, who was 72 at the time, was delighted when Pope Francis, with a twinkle in his eye, assured her that she certainly didn’t look her age. Then, after a warm embrace and a peck on the cheek, he followed up his compliment with a cheeky five-word response: “You still don’t look 72.” I mean, talk about giving compliments a run for their money!

In a lighthearted moment, Lesley responded by putting her arm on his and exclaimed, “Oh, bless you!” Apparently, that got everyone in the room chuckling—can you believe it? Here she was, merrily blessing the Pope! Now that’s a plot twist that you won’t easily find in her sitcom.

Alas, this story comes at a somber time as it was reported that Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88 due to a cerebral stroke. According to the Vatican, this ultimately led to irreversible heart failure. How’s that for a sad turn of events?

The Pope, who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, made history as the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church since his election in 2013. Just before his passing, he reportedly addressed a crowd from his wheelchair in St Peter’s Square during Easter celebrations. That’s some serious dedication!

In statements released posthumously, Cardinal Kevin Farrell remarked that Pope Francis had “returned to the home of the Father” and praised him for teaching us to embody the values of the Gospel through love and compassion, particularly for the less fortunate. Just warms the heart, doesn’t it?

Shifting back to Lesley, she’s recently opened up about the challenges of continuing her role as Dorien Green on “Birds of a Feather” as she approaches 80. She candidly admitted she’s uncertain about how much longer she’ll stay in the game, even though she confidently asserts she’s as “fit as a flea.”

“The older I get, the more frightened I become of forgetting my lines and making a fool of myself before an audience,” she told the Mirror, showing a refreshingly relatable side. But don’t worry, she isn’t rushing to retire just yet.

Lesley also shared her top tip for ageing well, which she insists is all about physical and mental exercise. “The secret of ageing carefully and properly is exercise, both mental and physical,” she stated back in 2019. Sounds like a plan—maybe that’s why she’s got some pep in her step!

In a touching and humorous moment, Lesley Joseph recalled her encounter with Pope Francis, highlighting his light-hearted praise and playful response. While the news of his passing marks a significant loss, Lesley’s wise words about ageing gracefully remind us all that a bit of laughter and exercise goes a long way. With her vibrant spirit still shining, she bravely contemplates her future in entertainment as she transitions into her 80s—here’s hoping we’ll see more of her comedic genius!

Original Source: www.express.co.uk