Candice King’s Belly Gets Blessed By the Pope: ‘It Was Such an Honor’

Candice Accola King has gotten plenty of well-wishes from friends, fans and family after announcing that she and her husband, The Fray rocker Joe King, have a baby on the way.


But even the Vampire Diaries actress got starstruck when a very special person congratulated the couple: Pope Francis.

“It was incredible,” King tells PEOPLE of meeting the pontiff, who blessed her belly during his U.S. visit two weeks ago.

“My husband’s band got to perform for the event in Philadelphia on Saturday night. I was there just supporting him and them, and it was such an honor to have a moment with the pope.”

She adds, “We are still speechless and cannot believe it happened, and I cannot believe my husband’s phone didn’t shake out of his hand when he snapped those pictures!”


King, 28, says the parents-to-be are also “keeping busy” by brainstorming names and “all those normal things” that come along with expecting a child.

“We’re really excited for the adventure,” says the star, who is already a stepmom to her husband’s daughters Ava and Elisa.King says the pregnancy hasn’t affected her job on the set of The Vampire Diaries, though in terms of costumes, she says, “My pants are fitting a little bit tighter!”

“Honestly, I’ve been really lucky with feeling great, so as far as work goes, same old same old,” she adds.

But with her baby bump getting bigger, is there a chance her character Caroline will have to become pregnant, too? As far as we know, vampires can’t conceive — but King teases that “anything is possible.”
People