Photos of Kim Davis’ alleged private meeting with Pope Francis released

The series of photos show Davis and her husband in a room surrounded by papal portraits. There is also a photo of rosary beads the pope is said to have given the couple.

Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit specializing in religious freedom litigation, released a lengthy statement defending its account of the meeting it says took place between Davis and Pope Francis. Liberty Counsel stressed in the statement that the meeting was "pastoral" in nature and that Pope Francis thanked Davis for her courage and told her to "stay strong."

While Davis was in jail for being in contempt of court for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, an article on Inside the Vatican claimed that a personal representative of Pope Francis was considering visiting her.

Liberty Counsel denies a Reuters report that Davis was merely in a receiving line with others to meet the pope. It says if that were true, someone would have recognized Davis and the meeting would not have remained private.

According to the statement, Kim Davis said, “I was humbled to meet Pope Francis. Of all people, why me? I never thought I would meet the pope. Who am I to have this rare opportunity? I am just a county clerk who loves Jesus and desires with all my heart to serve him.”