Catholicism is having a pop culture moment due in large part to a crop of popular comedians speaking about it publicly, including some new converts. Russell Brand, Kevin James, Stephen Colbert, Rob Schneider, Jim Gaffigan, and Shayne Smith have all gained attention for their religious leanings, some even incorporating their faith into their comedy acts.

“I am Catholic because I truly believe that’s what my wife wants in a way; she’s my higher power, and she’s definitely a punishing God,” Gaffigan said in his 2024 comedy special “The Prisoner.”

In an article for America: The Jesuit Review, Jake Martin noted of the Illinois-born comedian, “Gaffigan does not hide his faith, nor does he weaponize it. He presents himself as a flawed, albeit rational Christian in a society and media landscape that seems uninterested in putting sane, sensible Christians in the foreground. Gaffigan’s comedic stylings are not for everyone.”

When asked about his conversion, Smith, who saw a career downswing before a later uptick, told Fox News Digital, “I chose Catholicism for all the rational reasons. I’m a big history guy, and I just thought… you know, if you ask Siri who founded your religion, and you’re not Catholic, she’ll say the name of just some guy. [But] if you ask her who started your church, and you’re Catholic, she’ll say, Jesus Christ. So, I thought that was a pretty good start.”

In addition to his research, Smith also said he had a supernatural moment that pushed him toward faith and the church.

“I had an experience where I was compelled to go into a Catholic Church for no reason, and I did not have an education about Catholicism, so I didn’t really understand the Catholic Church in general. I was discerning Christianity and sort of leaning Protestant.

But I stepped into a Catholic Church one afternoon — I finally just gave in to this compulsion — and I had an experience with our heavenly mother.”

Smith said he saw a woman “in bright white light” who touched him, prompting him to weep “the hardest I’ve ever wept.” He credits that encounter for not only drawing him to Jesus but also helping repair parts of him damaged by a strained relationship with his mother.

“In that moment, a lot of things changed for me. I suddenly just felt like a lot of my issues with women had been healed. And I felt like my relationship with my mother had been healing, and all these other sorts of things happened.”

Schneider, who rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and starred in comedies such as The Animal and Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, cited various instances that led to his conversion, particularly meeting Father Chip Ripperger.

“We got to hear him speak for two hours, and it was really powerful,” he told the Catholic Review. “At the same time, it was ‘prepare yourself and be vigilant, but not fearful.’ His message at the end was, ‘Jesus already won. This is just a mop-up mission’ — and I love that. I think it’s true.”

Scheider followed his conversion with a family feature, “Daddy Daughter Trip,” and the faith-based “Tuttle Twins.” Smith recently released a Dry Bar Comedy special called “Ghost Stories” through Angel Studios. The brand launched a podcast focused on spirituality. These projects indicate the converts aren’t interested in keeping quiet about their new faith.

“To just stay home and make my faith something personal, or to just read the Bible, or to just be Catholic and keep it to myself… was not the point,” Smith confessed. “And it was not ultimately the fulfilling and rewarding experience that I needed.”