Pope met Kim Davis, said 'stay strong'
September 30, 2015
Pope Francis met with Kim Davis and told her to “stay strong” during his visit to the US.
The private meeting between the Pontiff and Davis--the Kentucky county clerk who was imprisoned for refusing to certify same-sex marriages-- took place in Washington, at the Vatican embassy, on September 24, shortly after the Pope addressed Congress.
Robert Moynihan of Inside the Vatican, who broke the story of the secret meeting, said that Vatican officials had privately confirmed that the encounter took place.
In Rome, the Vatican press office originally said that it would not confirm or deny reports of the meeting--a formula to avoid official comment on private meetings-- but later confirmed that the meeting did take place, declining further comment. A spokesman for Kim Davis said that Vatican officials had wanted to avoid reports about the meeting during the Pope’s visit, so that the news would not overshadow his public statements.
According to Davis, the Pope greeted her in English, saying “Thank you for your courage.” She reported that he hugged her, gave her a rosary, and asked for her prayers.
“I broke into tears. I was deeply moved,” Davis said. She had been visiting Washington at the time of the papal visit to receive an award from the Family Research Council.
The news that the Pope met with Davis sheds new light on a comment that he made to reporters during his return flight to Rome on September. Responding to a reproter's question as to whether a government official can be a conscientious objector, the Pope said that conscientious objection "is a human right and if a government official is a human person, he has that right." At the time, many reporters interpreted the Pope's statement as a reference to Kim Davis. The knowledge that he had met with Davis, and offered her his encouragement, lends support that interpretation of his remark.
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Further information:
- Kim and Francis (Inside the Vatican)
- Attorney: Kentucky clerk Kim Davis met with pope (CBS)
- Reports: Pope Francis met Kentucky clerk Kim Davis (RNS)
- Pope backs conscience rights, reiterates Church teachings, during in-flight press conference (CWN, 9/28)
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