Vatican officials did not deny the account of the meeting, first reported by the Catholic website Inside the Vatican, but would not confirm any details. Davis' attorney Mat Staver said members of the pope’s team contacted him shortly before Francis arrived in the United States to arrange the visit.

Davis, an elected official in Rowan County, is embroiled in a religious liberty battle over her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Under Kentucky law, the licenses bear her name and signature, an authorization that violates her conscience, Davis maintains.

Although Pope Francis did not directly address Davis’ case during his visit, he told reporters traveling on the plane with him back to Rome that conscientious objection is a human right ...