Jenny McCarthy recently made a surprising revelation about an encounter she had during a visit to Italy. The 51-year-old TV personality, known for her role as a judge on ‘The Masked Singer,’ shared the story during her appearance on the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” podcast, as reported by Fox News.
McCarthy, who was raised in a devout Catholic family, disclosed that she took a sacred item from Pope Francis. She confessed to host Kelly Ripa, “I stole a cross from the Vatican and gave it to my mother.”
She added, “My mom’s like, ‘You know, this is not okay.’”
McCarthy went on to clarify that she did not “personally” steal the cross. Instead, she explained that it was taken by one of her friends during their visit to the Pope’s apartment in Vatican City. The group of friends was visiting the Vatican, and one of McCarthy’s friends took the opportunity to purloin the cross, which was then given to McCarthy as a gift for her mother.
“My mom was really shocked when I gave it to her,” McCarthy admitted. “She knew it wasn’t right, but at the same time, she was quite touched by the gesture. It’s a sacred item, and in a way, it felt like having a piece of history, something incredibly special.”
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McCarthy further revealed that her mother, Linda, decided to keep the cross despite its questionable acquisition. “She still has it on the wall, though, so I feel like it was — it’s in good hands,” McCarthy said. “It’s displayed prominently in her home, and she sees it every day. I guess you could say it’s become a treasured item for her.”
The incident has sparked mixed reactions, with some criticizing McCarthy for the act, while others view it as a harmless, if unconventional, gesture of love for her mother. McCarthy herself seems to be aware of the moral ambiguity of the situation. “I know it wasn’t the right thing to do,” she reflected. “But in that moment, it felt like something special I could give to my mom, something that would mean a lot to her.”
The story has certainly added another layer to McCarthy’s colorful public persona, showcasing a blend of irreverence and familial devotion that continues to fascinate her fans.