On Thursday September 24, Kim Davis met with the Pope in Washington D.C.  For those who don’t know who Kim Davis is, she is the County clerk from Rowan Kentucky who was sent to jail for not handing out marriage licenses to same-sex couples.  Despite the Supreme courts’ ruling, which makes “gay” marriage legal, Davis said such marriages violate her Apostolic Christian faith.  She spent a total of 5 days and nights in jail.  She was allowed to return to work on the condition that she couldn’t interfere with the issuing of marriage licenses. 

When Kim Davis met with the Pope she said how she was humbled by the meeting (Cincinnati Enquirer).  “I never thought I would get the chance to meet the Pope; who am I to have this rare opportunity?  I’m just a county clerk who loves Jesus and desires with all my heart to serve him” said Mrs. Davis.

Pope Francis, when asked about Mrs. Davis’ case, said that he wasn’t familiar with the details of the case but called conscientious objection a human right, even for government officials (Local 12 News).

Mr. Staver, Mrs. Davis’ lawyer, said that the Pope and the Davis’ prayed and exchanged in conversation for about 15 minutes (in which the Pope spoke English).  Along with prayers Pope Francis also gave the Davis’ two rosaries that he had personally blessed (Cincinnati Enquirer).  Davis was overwhelmed and flushed with emotion Staver told reporters (Local 12 News).

This meeting symbolizes that the Pope stands on the side of religious freedom, now and forever.  I’m astonished that the Pope Francis isn’t afraid of meeting people/ isolating himself away from some problems like some of his predecessors.  Going out to see the people, to me, represents progress and how all Catholic Christians need to strive to do more.