'Pope Francis Asked Me To Stay Strong,' Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis Claims

Controversial Kentucky clerk Kim Davis has claimed she secretly met Pope Francis who 'thanked' her for her courage.

Davis recently made headlines when she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, defying a Supreme Court order. Davis' refusal to comply saw her earn a six-day prison sentence. Davis had also appealed to refrain from issuing licenses after her deputy issued licenses to aggrieved couples refused by the clerk.

Davis claimed she received a phone call from a church official following which she travelled to Washington D.C. with her husband to meet the Pope on September 24 during his visit to the U.S. Davis said that the Pope thanked her for her courage.

"I put my hand out and he reached and he grabbed it, and I hugged him and he hugged me. And he said, 'thank you for your courage," she said in an interview with ABC News. Davis also showed the rosaries that the Pope had given her.

"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.

The Vatican has not confirmed or denied Davis' claims, according to The Hindu. Davis meanwhile is back at work and is continues to abstain from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs.