Louisville mother-son duo reflect on once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Pope Francis

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — As Catholics around the globe honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, a Louisville mother and son are reflecting on a rare and cherished moment — meeting the pontiff just months before his death.

Jocelyn and Jason Clayborn were among the last to shake hands with the 88-year-old pope, who died early Monday morning after suffering a stroke.

“I was sorry to hear of his passing,” Jocelyn said. “But I felt honored to actually have had that chance.”

The Clayborns met Pope Francis in December during a month-long gospel tour across Europe. Their visit to the Vatican culminated in a private audience with the pontiff, where they received a Christmas blessing and had a personal moment with him.

“You never think in a million years you’d get to meet the pope,” Jocelyn said.

Her son Jason — a Grammy-nominated gospel artist — has now met the pope twice in two years. Both times, he received a blessed rosary as a gift from the Holy Father.

“It’s crazy that you would call me,” Jason said during an interview. “I have both of them with me right now. I keep them with me everywhere I go.”

But beyond the sacred keepsakes and surreal encounters, it was Pope Francis’ character that left the deepest impression.

“He was really humble and really sweet and nice and kind,” Jason said. “He didn’t want people kissing his ring. People were trying to give him gifts, and he would make them stand up and just say, ‘Hey, it’s okay — you don’t have to do that. I’m just a person like you.’”

That humility, the Clayborns said, is what made him truly special.

And now, as the world mourns, they feel blessed to carry a piece of his spirit with them every day.

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Louisville mother-son duo reflect on once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Pope Francis