Did Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis have a private meeting with Pope Francis?

Kim Davis' lawyers release statement claiming Pope Francis and Davis met in Washington.

Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis, now infamous for refusing to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples and going to jail for her beliefs, claims to have met Pope Francis in a private meeting during his visit to the United States.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Davis' legal team from Liberty Counsel, a religious freedom nonprofit, stated in a news release that Davis and her husband met with the pope at the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington D.C. According to her lawyer's release, Davis and Pope Francis "chatted about bravery, then hugged and exchanged promises of prayer."

The press release went on to claim Pope Francis took the time to thank Davis for her "courage" and advised her to "stay strong."

Rev. Federico Lombardi, the chief Vatican spokesman, stated they would not be confirming or denying the reports at this time and their would be no further statements, according to Reuters.

However, Davis' attorney and founder/chairman of Liberty Counsel, Mat Staver has told the New York Times that photos of the meeting are expected to be released by the Vatican soon. "We didn't want the pope's visit to be focused on Kim Davis," stated Staver when asked why they are just now coming forward with the story.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Archdiocese of Washington and Staver's spokesperson have not responded to requests for comment from the Washington Post.

During the pope's historical visit, he "indicated his support of a campaign from U.S. bishops to prioritize a defense of" religious liberty. While in Philadelphia's Independence Hall he outlined both his own and the Catholic Church's position on religious liberty.

"I can't have in mind all cases that can exist about conscience objection," Pope Francis told reporters during the plane ride back to Rome, when an ABC News reporter mentioned issuing same-sex marriage licenses. "But, yes, I can say the conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right."

The pope explained that "government employees had the 'human right' to say they cannot discharge duties that they believe go against their conscience," although he did not mention Davis by name.

"Kim Davis has become a symbol of this worldwide conflict between Christian faith and recent cultural challenges regarding marriage," Staver said. "The challenges we face in America regarding the sanctity of human life, marriage, and religious freedom are the same universal challenges Christians face around the world. Religious freedom is a human right that comes from God. These values are shared in common by people of faith, and the threats to religious freedom are universal."

While in Washington, Pope Francis also had a "secret meeting" with the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are involved in a separate religious liberty case against a contraception mandate.

"I was humbled to meet Pope Francis," Davis said in a statement, describing the pope as "kind, genuinely caring and very personable." "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."

UPDATE: The Vatican has confirmed the meeting, according to the Washington Post.

Rev. Manuel Dorantes, a spokesman for the Vatican, said to The Washington Post, "I do not deny that the meeting took place, but I have no comments to add."

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