Vatican says Pope Francis didn't meet privately with Kim Davis — or endorse her

It is true Pope Francis saw Kim Davis last week, but the event, which has been widely been interpreted as a proclamation against same-sex marriage, was misunderstood, the Vatican said in a statement on Friday.

Davis, who defied the law by denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was one of dozens of guests to be invited to "greet" the Pope, an encounter the Vatican described as "brief," "routine," and characteristic of the pope's "kindness and availability." Davis was not, however, given private audience with His Holiness, according to the statement, which further clarified that, "The pope did not enter into the details of the situation of Mrs. Davis and his meeting with her should not be considered a form of support of her position in all of its particular and complex aspects."

The encounter has proven controversial, with Davis supporters saying the pope was endorsing her stand and critics arguing that Francis did not know its details. Others say the meeting is simply being over-analyzed by both sides. The Vatican seems to be in the latter camp.

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