Gary and Meredith Krupp will meet with the pope when he visits Washington D.C. next week, and it won?t be their first brush with the pontiff.

Gary Krupp is the only Jewish man to be knighted by two popes -- Pope John Paul II in 2000 and Pope Benedict XVI last year. He was knighted for work he did in a hospital in Italy. Krupp is also the founder of the Pave the Way Foundation, which encourages peaceful cooperation among religions.

"[The pope is] a very sweet and gentle and sort of a shy person?and very intense. [He] speaks beautifully. His English is excellent, so we were really able to communicate with him," Krupp says.

During the visit, Krupp has to wear an official uniform with metals on it, according to protocol. The Krupps will be meeting with Pope Benedict again in June at the Vatican and at the pope?s summer residence in September.

To watch an extended interview with Gary Krupp, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.