Mrs. Gayle Benson is currently on a 10-day trip to Rome and Germany, meeting with various groups to share her vision for investment in New Orleans and the renovation of the St. Louis Cathedral. In Rome, she met with members of the Papal Foundation and Italian leaders in economic development and tourism, while also having a personal audience with Pope Francis where she presented him with a Saints jersey. Mrs. Benson is now attending Mercedes-Benz global meetings in Stuttgart, Germany, where she has met with the German head of Foreign Trade and the lead staff at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour, and Tourism.
Mrs. Benson expressed her enthusiasm for the trip, stating that she has received positive feedback and interest from the people she met in Rome regarding the restoration of the St. Louis Cathedral. In Germany, she noted a strong interest in investment and business connections with Louisiana, particularly due to the popularity of NFL football in the country. She emphasized the importance of promoting Louisiana’s tourism industry and encouraging business development during her time abroad, acknowledging the unique opportunity to showcase the state’s offerings.