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(UPDATE: The Vatican confirms that Pope Francis did indeed meet with Kim Davis. His “Cool Pope” card has been officially revoked.)
As you may have heard by now, on Tuesday, it came out that Mat Staver, lawyer of self-appointed bigotry martyr Kim Davis, said that his client had held a secret meeting with the Pope in Washington, D.C. during his visit to America. This came about just one day after Pope Francis released a vague statement in support of Davis, citing something about “conscientious objection.”
Now Davis herself is claiming to have met the Pope, and in an exclusive interview with ABC News Wednesday morning, she details her “humbling” meeting.
“I put my hand out and he reached and he grabbed it, and I hugged him and he hugged me,” Davis said. “And he said, ‘thank you for your courage.’”
“He told me before he left, he said, ‘stay strong.’ That was a great encouragement. Just knowing that the pope is on track with what we’re doing, it kind of validates everything to have someone of that stature,” Davis said.
For their part, the Vatican Press office released a statement saying that they would neither confirm nor deny whether or not such a meeting took place, and refuse to comment further. Because — if this account is not totally factually accurate — what is the Pope going to do, call out a lady for being a liar? That’s hardly the Pope way.
It should be noted that, just yesterday, Staver was caught in a lie over a photo he claimed had been taken at a Kim Davis rally in Peru, which was later determined to have been taken at a religious convention in May of 2014. So, it may not come as a huge surprise that many are questioning whether or not Kim Davis did indeed meet the Pope.
Many took to Twitter to express their disbelief, or just poke fun at Davis in general:
https://twitter.com/Mobute/status/649037990929547264
https://twitter.com/MayorBurnsy/status/649197531075883008
Kim Davis claims she secretly met with the Pope. At least that's what she told her third husband when he asked her where she was last night.
— Matty Ice (@MattyIceUSA) September 30, 2015
The Pope met with Kim Davis while he was in the US, which is great news because I ALSO dont do my job, and I'd love to meet a famous person.
— Johnna Scrabis (@JohnnaScrabis) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/KenJennings/status/649090824152608768
POPE: Pray for me.
KIM DAVIS: Validate me.
POPE: Where did you park?#KentucyClerk— Mr. Newberger (@jeremynewberger) September 30, 2015
When pressed for details, Kim Davis's lawyer added "the pope is her boyfriend but you can't meet him cuz he moved to Canada last summer"
— Big, and ugly as wel.l (@Z_A_Kline) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/BecketAdams/status/649037278346637312
My lawyers would like to make clear: I also met with the Pope. We mostly talked football. Surprisingly, he's a Florida State fan.
— actioncookbook (@actioncookbook) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/Ethan_Booker/status/649054010381459457
https://twitter.com/Ethan_Booker/status/649054944033542144
in fairness, the Pope also met with imprisoned criminals, so wanting to meet Kim Davis isn't really a stretch
— suss– 🥌 (@suss2hyphens) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/BrianPHickey/status/649187601656717312
The Pope might have met #KimDavis and husband in DC. Scanning Waffle House security cams for photographic proof.http://t.co/7OQDADPeFh
— Mr. Newberger (@jeremynewberger) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/gourmetspud/status/649209284534800385
Why would the Pope have a secret meeting? He doesn't have a boss or constituents. He didn't even make Kim Davis pinky swear? GTFO
— Mark Agee (@MarkAgee) September 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/MrBrandonStroud/status/648499865819979776
https://twitter.com/trillballins/status/649195997445398528
https://twitter.com/trillballins/status/649195200280195072
https://twitter.com/trillballins/status/649207304118759424