It's okay to fall asleep at church as long as you immediately ask for forgiveness when you wake up.
That's the well-worn rule Pope Francis surely exploited when he appeared to nod off during his first Mass on American soil on Wednesday afternoon, instantly justifying church naps for millions of God-fearing Americans. His eyes closed, his head drooped, and there, on live TV, the humble pope proved once and for all he's truly just like us.
Francis, who at 78 and in the midst of a high-energy trip halfway around the world has every right to be a little sleepy, immediately inspired church-going viewers who remarked on Twitter that if the pope could do it, they can too.
Let it be said: All church naps are hereby forgiven.
This is the pope forgiving us for falling asleep in church sometimes. #PopeInDC pic.twitter.com/DrdXvxD6WL— Jessica Contrera (@mjcontrera) September 23, 2015
Like most good Catholics, Pope Francis seems to be asleep during most of his first mass in the U.S. #PopeInDC— Aaron Kinnari (@aaronkinnari) September 23, 2015
Any Christian who has fallen asleep during Mass can now feel a little better. It just happened to the Pope. #PopeInDC— Jeremy Fuster (@jeremyfuster) September 23, 2015
Well why would I always get in trouble for falling asleep during mass?! Pope Francis is sleeping during his own mass right now.— Sara (@sarav19) September 23, 2015
And the Pope has done as we all have done: Fallen asleep at Mass! @Pontifex— John Bare (@JBinSFO) September 23, 2015
.@Pontifex nodding off during mass, just like I would in my childhood. Catholicism is that exciting. pic.twitter.com/vQNBSsJame— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) September 23, 2015
Editor's note to the Holy Father: If you were simply deep in prayer and reflection, please forgive us for our sin of assumption.