Whoopi Goldberg — who famously once gifted Pope Francis with Sister Act merch and also wants to send the Vatican “some bees” — had quite the reaction to cohort Joy Behar’s confession on The View.
Tuesday’s live broadcast closed with what could’ve been a sweet moment of friends trading stories about Broadway plays, as the table’s Republican seat-holder Alyssa Farah Griffin innocently brought up a recent show she enjoyed in New York City, which seemingly prompted Behar to recall a production she enjoyed as well:
“I could recommend one too! I saw Doubt the other day, with Liev Schreiber,” the 81-year-old said, referencing John Patrick Shanley’s popular play about a nun who suspects a priest of abusing a young boy. “Very interesting, about the abuse scandal in the Catholic church!”
The camera then cut to a displeased Goldberg, who held Pope Francis’ book Life: My Story Through History in her hands while she glared at Behar.
Yes, speaking of the Catholic church,” she said, slapping the book — which she eventually gifted to the entire studio audience — atop the Hot Topics table. “Oh. Bad timing?” Behar asked. “Sorry.”
Goldberg told Behar it was “alright,” though the comedian seemingly sensed the Ghost actress’ annoyance and attempted to course-correct. “Love him. Love,” Behar said. “Best Pope ever!”
Goldberg has long been open about her religious connections, even going as far as to miss several episodes of The View in October 2023 to visit Pope Francis to, as she half-seriously revealed at the time, partially scout locations for Disney’s long-gestating Sister Act 3.
“I thought, I’m going to walk into this building and I’m going to burst into flames,” Goldberg playfully recalled of her journey to Vatican City. “I brought him some stuff from Sister Act that he asked for.”