Liberty Counsel has released photos it says proves its client, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis, met with Pope Francis during his U.S. visit.
None of the photos shows Davis in the pope’s presence.
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.
>>The Vatican clarifies details of pope's visit with Davis
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.”
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.