The Papacy Psychosis is a stand-up allegory comedy special by Trey Knowles that blends sharp satire with deliberately unhinged humor. Throughout the performance, Knowles playfully challenges the Vatican’s claim to moral and spiritual dominance, joking that it seeks to control the world by positioning itself as Earth’s ultimate authority.
A standout bit riffs on the Pope’s claim to hold the “keys to heaven,” with Knowles quipping that they’re borrowed from Peter—who, he argues, would never call himself “Pope” because he recognizes only one Father in Heaven. From there, the jokes escalate: if they can “steal” Peter from Jesus, Knowles warns, they’ll steal from you too—your money, your identity, even your citizenship. Through bold punchlines and absurdist logic, Knowles turns paranoia into parody, bringing the idea of psychosis to life in a provocative, laugh-forward comedy special.
