Overview

• Jelly Roll shared an Instagram photo on Sept. 12–13 showing him shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV and captioned it, “From rock bottom to holy ground,” quoting Matthew 18:20.
• The meeting preceded the Grace for the World concert in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 13, where he appeared on a bill that included Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Karol G and Teddy Swims.
• Coverage described the event as part of the Vatican’s public programming under Pope Leo XIV, who has welcomed mainstream artists to large-scale gatherings.
• Pope Leo XIV assumed the papacy on May 8 after the death of Pope Francis on April 21.
• Jelly Roll’s visit came during a packed run that included a Sept. 7 MTV VMAs performance via satellite from Hanover and tour stops in Barcelona and Lisbon, with London dates and an Australia leg scheduled next.