Former Drug Dealer Turned Christ Follower Performs at Vatican

Published: September 16, 2025

By Gavin Boyle

In a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Jelly Roll performed his “Hard Fought Hallelujah” as part of a concert that took place at the Vatican to celebrate the Catholic Jubilee Holy Year.

“From rock bottom to holy ground. ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them,” Jelly Roll posted on Instagram on Sept. 13, quoting Matthew 18:20, while posting a picture of him meeting the Pope.

Later that day, he performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah” at the Vatican along with multiple other artists as part of the first concert to ever take place within the Holy City. Other artists who performed included Andrea Bocelli, Pharell Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Teddy Swims and John Legend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOjtoSSDFaH/

Jelly Roll has an incredible story.

Once a drug-dealing, non-Christian criminal earlier in his life, he eventually turned his life around and found freedom through Christ. However, his past followed him as his past criminal convictions meant he couldn’t freely leave the country. For this reason, he hasn’t performed outside of the U.S., save for a few special occasions when he received permission to perform in Canada.

Jelly Roll, however, recently received a full pardon from a Tennessee parole board, giving him the full ability to not only launch a world tour but also make this performance at the Vatican.

“This was incredible,” Jelly Roll, said about the board’s unanimous decision to pardon him, per AP. “I pray this goes through. But today was special for me, regardless.”

“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,” the singer explained during his appeal. “One of the reasons I’m asking for you recommendation for this pardon is because I’m looking to take my message of redemption through the power of music and faith [to] the rest of the world.”

The concert at the Vatican that included Jelly Roll’s performance was part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Holy Year, a special year in the church calendar that typically takes place every 25 years.

“To celebrate the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of the Lord, youth and young adults were invited to Rome for the international celebration of the Jubilee of Young People from Monday to Sunday, July 28 to August 3, 2025,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops explained. “During that week, youth and young adults from around the world came to the Eternal City for a pilgrimage experience of a lifetime.”

It is amazing just how much the Lord has done with Jelly Roll’s life since he committed himself to Christ. Hopefully his story will continue to inspire others who are at rock bottom, just as the singer once was.

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