Jelly Roll, a hip-hop and country music artist, performed Saturday at the Vatican's “Grace for the World” concert. He sang his hit song "Hard Fought Hallelujah," in a performance that was emotionally moving.
But before his performance, Jelly Roll — whose birth name is Jason Bradley DeFord — met Pope Leo XIV.
He posted about the encounter on his Instagram page, with a simple yet powerful caption.
"From rock bottom to holy ground" said Jelly Roll, and added the verse, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Prison to the Vatican
The 40-year-old Tennessee native has not had the easiest life. While he was baptized at the age of 14, he soon after began using drugs.
"The same year that I got baptized, I got arrested, and that started what would be a 10-year cycle of incarceration in and out," he told the Grammy Awards website in a 2023 interview.
His daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008 while Jelly Roll was serving a federal prison sentence. Her birth, he told the Grammy Awards website, was what inspired him to begin to turn his life around.
"And she's in a way better place," said Jelly Roll about his daughter. "She's so much better than I could have ever been at that age, or probably will ever be."
Future missionary?
As a convicted felon, Jelly Roll has faced obstacles leaving the country — something less-than-ideal for an internationally famous singer.
Many of Jelly Roll's fans pointed out the significance of the location of Saturday's performance.
"A man that couldn't leave the country not that long ago, went from that to playing inside Vatican City.. you truly are amazing.. is there anything you can't do?" said one fan on Instagram.
"What we need this week. God is good all the time!" said another.
Change is truly possible
But, there's reason to think that traveling might be easier in the future.
In April 2025, the Tennessee Board of Parole recommended that Gov. Bill Lee issue a pardon for his crimes.
If the pardon is granted, Jelly Roll said he hopes to spread the Gospel around the world.
“I want to be an inspiration for people who are now where I used to be — to let them know that change is truly possible,” Jelly Roll told the board during his application for a pardon. “One of the reasons I’m asking for your recommendation for this pardon is because I’m looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith through the rest of the world.”
“I’ll still be using this same pardon, God willing, to go do missionary work in my 50s and 60s,” he said.
