VATICAN CITY (WVUE) - Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson and New Orleans Archbishop James Checchio met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, according to Greg Bensel, vice president of communications for the New Orleans Saints.
The meeting lasted 35 minutes and took place in the Pope’s office.
“It was a wonderful 35-minute private meeting in his office with Pope Leo,” Bensel said. “We discussed New Orleans and all the positive things going on in the city. He asked about the St. Louis Cathedral. We spoke a lot about Benson’s involvement in the Catholic Church, and it was just a very positive meeting.”
Bensel said the Pope expressed interest in New Orleans and discussed his family roots in the city.
Benson presented Pope Leo with a customized Saints jersey. The Vatican is expected to release pictures from the meeting that will include the jersey presentation.
Pope Leo, who was elected last year, is known to be a Chicago Bears fan.
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