In a 35-minute meeting with Pope Leo XIV, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson suggested the pope visit New Orleans.
NOLA.com reports Benson and New Orleans Archbishop James Checchio brought up Pope Leo's family connection to New Orleans, as well as the region's Roman Catholic community.
The pope's maternal grandparents were from New Orleans' Seventh Ward neighborhood.
Benson gifted Leo with a New Orleans Saints jersey.
Benson also traveled to Paris this week. The team is set to play the first regular-season NFL game in France this fall.
