Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who served jail time for refusing to issue gay marriage license, says that she had a secret meeting with Pope Francis on Sept. 24 at the Vatican embassy during his trip to the United States.
Davis told ABC that she was very emotional during the meeting and that, “I’m just a nobody, so it was really humbling to think he would want to meet or know me.”
“I put my hand out and he reached and he grabbed it, and I hugged him and he hugged me. And he said, ‘thank you for your courage,'” Davis added. According to Davis, the pope encouraged her to “stay strong” and gave her a rosary before she departed. (RELATED: Kentucky Clerk THROWN IN JAIL For Refusing To Issue Gay Marriage Licenses)
The Vatican released the following statement after becoming aware that reports were circulating that Davis had allegedly met with the pope: “The Holy See is aware of the reports of Kim Davis meeting with the Holy Father. The Vatican does not confirm the meeting, nor does it deny the meeting. There will be no further information given.”
Davis has returned to her Kentucky county clerk position after spending six days in jail for refusing to issue gay marriage licenses. Her arrest and ultimately her release became a national spectacle, and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee even met Davis at the jail for her release. Davis is still not issuing gay marriage license.
Pope Francis has previously voiced support for people objecting things on religious grounds.
“I can’t have in mind all the cases that can exist about conscientious objection, but, yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right,” he told an ABC News reporter. “And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right.” (RELATED: Pope Francis Backs Kim Davis In Final Statement)