ROWAN COUNTY, Kentucky (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – How the paparazzis missed reporting on the ‘secret meeting’ between Pope Francis and Kentucky clerk Kim Davis in Washington, D.C. last week, is a mystery. Or perhaps even a miracle.

Yesterday, lawyers for Davis claimed that Francis met with Davis the same day as the pontiff’s historic speech to a joint session of Congress. According  to Liberty Counsel, which has represented Davis in her legal battles, the Pope told  the defiant county clerk to “stay strong.”

Davis sparked a national firestorm after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Rowan County, citing her religious beliefs. She was jailed for five nights before a judge allowed her to return to her job — as long as she doesn’t interfere with the granting of licenses.

In a statement released by Liberty Counsel, Davis says she was “humbled” and never thought she would be granted an audience with the popular and unpredictable pontiff. The conservative legal nonprofit said Davis and her husband, Joe, shared face time with Francis at the Vatican Embassy.

She and the pontiff hugged, and he presented her and her husband with two rosaries, which she is giving to her parents, who are Catholic, Liberty Counsel said.

Today, The Vatican officially confirmed that the meeting did happen, but that the two never discussed Davis’ opposition to same-sex marriage. Instead, Davis asked for forgiveness and the Pope’s blessing for her marital missteps.

Davis was divorced three times and had children out of wedlock, both of which are against Catholic Church teachings.

The Pope has said previously  that Christians should ‘not judge’ gay men and women.

In his meeting with Davis, Francis reportedly told her, “neither am I in a position to judge you for your marital sins.”

Despite her meeting with the Pope, Davis says she still would not affix her signature to marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples in Rowan County.