Gayle Benson pitched a papal visit to New Orleans during her Monday [meeting with Pope Leo XIV](https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/gayle-benson-pope-leo-rome/article_06a9a63a-43d4-4a8c-848e-579810ab0343.html) at the Vatican in Rome.
During a 35-minute meeting in the pope’s private library in the Apostolic Palace, Benson and Archbishop James Checchio expressed their hope that he would visit New Orleans during a future U.S. visit, highlighting reasons why the city should be a priority in a future papal itinerary, said Greg Bensel, the Saints and Pelicans senior vice president of government relations, who attended the meeting with Benson.
Among the discussion topics during the 35-minute meeting were Pope Leo’s family ties to New Orleans, the efforts to restore historic St. Louis Cathedral and the health and vitality of the Catholic community in New Orleans, Bensel said.
Archbishop-emeritus Gregory Aymond and Wayne LaJaunie, Benson’s brother, also attended the meeting.
“We were extremely grateful and humbled that Pope Leo spent such quality time with us in his private library,” Benson said. “He cares deeply about the people of New Orleans and state of Louisiana, where he has such close family ties. He offered his prayers and blessings. It was quite moving to be with him.”
Benson gave Pope Leo a full update on the current renovation and restoration of the St. Louis Cathedral. He thanked her and the benefactors for their efforts. The group also discussed the work being done to promote the causes of the Servant of God Henriette de Lille and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, as well as other matters relevant to the archdiocese.
Benson presented a New Orleans Saints jersey among other gifts. In turn, Pope Leo blessed the group and personally handed each attendee a blessed rosary.
“Pope Leo was particularly interested in our Catholic schools and expressed gratitude for the cooperation offered by the state of Louisiana in assisting our children the opportunity of choosing a Catholic education,” Bensel said.
Archbishop Checchio received Pope Leo’s permission to name the upcoming renovation of St. Louis Cathedral rectory as the Pope Leo XIV Center for Evangelization in honor of him and his family, who lived in New Orleans for 200 years and attended Mass at the Cathedral.
The gesture, Bensel said, “moved the Holy Father deeply.”
After the meeting, the group visited the U.S. Embassy of the Holy See to meet with U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch to discuss potential programs between the Holy See and the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana.
The Saints contingent flew to Paris on Wednesday, where they were scheduled to connect with Saints quarterback Tyler Shough and offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and visit the Louvre.