Jelly Roll Celebrates Weight Loss and Meets Pope Leo XIV in Rome: “From Rock Bottom to Holy Ground”

It has been a standout week for Jelly Roll. Alongside celebrating a fashion milestone tied to his slimmer physique, the singer-songwriter shared that he recently met the Pope — an encounter that holds special meaning given how often faith figures in his music.

On Instagram on Saturday, Sept. 13, Jelly Roll posted a photo from Vatican City showing him smiling while shaking the hand of Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost). According to his caption, the moment felt deeply significant: “From rock bottom to holy ground,” he wrote, adding a biblical line — “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” View the post.

The meeting coincided with a performance: Jelly Roll delivered a rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” his 2025 collaboration with Brandon Lake, live from the Vatican for Grace for the World. He shared footage of that performance as a separate clip on Instagram. Watch the reel.

He also used the trip to showcase his updated wardrobe. On Monday, Sept. 15, Jelly posted photos from Rome wearing a designer ensemble and joked about his new sizing: “I can fit in Louis Vuitton now,” he wrote, adding a playful plea — “Pray for my bank account.” See the image.

The Grammy nominee’s transformation has been gradual but dramatic. He has been open about prioritizing his health — running a 5K in 2024 and reporting in April that, with consistent exercise and dietary changes, he had lost roughly 200 pounds.

Faith has been an equally prominent thread in his story. Over the years, Jelly Roll has chronicled his struggles and redemption through song — addressing past legal troubles and battles with addiction. On “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” he and Lake reflect on perseverance and grace: “’Cause God, You’ve been patient / God, You’ve been gracious,” the chorus sings — a track that spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart.

Source