Jelly Roll just shared a heartwarming moment with Pope Leo XIV.
On Instagram Friday, Sept. 12, the country star shared a photo of him meeting the new pontiff. In the picture, a smiling Jelly Roll shakes hands with the Pope, who appears to be smiling back.
“From rock bottom to holy ground,” Jelly Roll captioned the post before citing a Bible verse. “‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.'”
He set the post to he and Brandon Lake‘s CMA-nominated duet “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”
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Jelly Roll met the Pope while traveling Europe with Post Malone, as he’s an opener for his Big A** Stadium Tour. Last month Jelly Roll thanked his fellow hip-hop-turned-country star for bringing him on his first ever European tour.
In the comment section, fans and friends remarked on the heartfelt moment between the singer and the religious leader.
“To know you and watch you walk the right path, man.. I’m so proud to know you,” wrote Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes. “One of the best humans to walk this earth. love you brother.”
“So proud of you🥹 Keep being you❤️❤️❤️❤️,” said singer Brett Smith.
“Jelly: ‘Can’t believe I’m meeting the Pope!!’ Pope: ‘Can’t believe I’m meeting Jelly Roll!!’
You both are saving souls every day” added a fan.
RELATED: Jelly Roll’s New Song Has Fans Saying the Same Thing
While promoting “Hard Fought Hallelujah” with Lake, Jelly Roll discussed his faith and what brought him to Christianity. Though he was baptized at 14, the singer became troubled in his teenage years and began experimenting with drugs.
Over the course of a decade, he was arrested multiple times for selling drugs and at one point was charged with armed robbery. After learning he had a daughter while incarcerated in 2008, Jelly Roll decided to turn his life around.
“I might wear it a little different than other people; I might say things that other Christians don’t think are right to say, but ultimately, I have a heart for God and I have a heart for Jesus.” he said during an interview with K-Love earlier this year.
Lake added that Jelly Roll’s story of redemption is what made him the perfect collaborator for “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.
“I wanted to share this song with somebody that had a really beautiful and hard-fought story, and the first person that came to mind was Jelly,” Lake said.
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” is nominated for Musical Event of The Year at the CMA Awards this November, and the impact the song is making has “exceeded” Jelly Roll and Lake’s expectations.
“I love the conversation it’s creating,” Jelly Roll said. “Millions of people like me are finding a safe place in God.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 13, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
