“Jelly Roll Encounters Pope Leo During Star-Studded Vatican Concert: ‘From Rock Bottom to Holy Ground’”
By Website Content Manager
“The country singer took the stage at the Grace for the World event in Vatican City, marking a milestone after years of being unable to perform abroad because of his past felony convictions.”
Jelly Roll’s journey from his troubled past to the global stage reached a new milestone over the weekend.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the country star performed his duet with Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” during the Grace for the World concert held in Vatican City, Italy. The appearance was especially meaningful, as legal restrictions tied to his earlier felony convictions had once made international performances nearly impossible.
While in the Vatican, Jelly Roll, 40, also had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, 70. Sharing a photo of their handshake on Instagram, the singer reflected on his path, writing, “From rock bottom to holy ground.” He added a passage from Scripture: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Directed by Pharrell Williams and Andrea Bocelli, Grace for the World: The Live Event in Rome made history at St. Peter’s Square, becoming the first concert to take place at the site in 2,000 years.
The lineup featured a powerhouse of talent, including Williams, Bocelli, the Voices of Fire Gospel Choir, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Karol G, BamBam, Clipse, Teddy Swims, Angélique Kidjo, and the Choir of the Diocese of Rome.
Brandon Lake, 35, praised Jelly Roll’s performance of their collaboration “Hard Fought Hallelujah” in the comments of his Instagram post, writing: “This is what our world needs right now more than ever. Thanks for leading us Jelly!”
The event followed Jelly Roll’s run of shows in Europe on the Big Ass Stadium Tour with Post Malone — a milestone that once seemed impossible due to his criminal record.
In a 2023 conversation with Jon Bon Jovi for Interview magazine, Jelly explained why he hadn’t yet performed overseas. “I’m so excited [to perform outside the United States]. We’re figuring out the final pieces of some legal puzzles for me to get overseas,” he said at the time. “It’s funny, America has finally agreed to let me leave and give me a passport, but some countries won’t let me come because of my felonies. We’re working on that. I think it’s going to work in my favor.”
His legal troubles date back to his teenage years. First arrested at 14, he was later charged as an adult for aggravated robbery at 16, serving more than a year behind bars along with seven years of probation.
Reflecting on his past in a 2023 interview with Billboard, Jelly said: “I never want to overlook the fact that it was a heinous crime. This is a grown man looking back at a 16-year-old kid that made the worst decision that he could have made in life and people could have got hurt and, by the grace of God, thankfully, nobody did.”