IF You won’t Listen To ME, Listen To the Pope

When Pope Francis welcomed Gayle Benson to the Vatican last week, the meeting carried more than ceremonial significance. It sparked renewed attention around an issue that continues to shape the future of education in the United States: school choice.

According to those familiar with the visit, the conversation touched on expanding educational opportunities for families, particularly those in underserved communities. While the Vatican has long supported parental rights in education, the tone of this meeting suggested a stronger moral endorsement of policies that empower families to choose schools that best align with their values and needs.

That message resonates strongly in Louisiana, where the state is in the early stages of implementing the LA GATOR education savings account program. Designed to give families flexible funding for tuition, tutoring, and other educational services, LA GATOR represents a major step toward putting parents in the driver’s seat. But like many ambitious reforms, its success will depend on whether lawmakers are willing to fully fund and support it.

School choice, including education savings accounts, has often been debated in political terms. Yet Pope Francis’ engagement reframes the issue as one rooted in human dignity and opportunity. The Catholic Church has long emphasized that parents are the primary educators of their children, a principle that aligns directly with giving families meaningful control over education dollars.

Gayle Benson’s involvement adds a local dimension to this global conversation. Her commitment to improving opportunities in New Orleans reflects what is at stake for communities across Louisiana. For many families, programs like LA GATOR are not abstract policy ideas. They are real opportunities to access safer schools, specialized learning environments, or values-based education.

Now the responsibility turns to the Louisiana Legislature. If leaders are serious about expanding opportunity, they must ensure LA GATOR is fully funded and accessible to the families who need it most. Half measures will only limit its impact.

At a moment when moral leadership and public policy are aligning, Louisiana has a chance to lead. Fully funding LA GATOR would not just honor that vision, it would help ensure every child has a real chance to succeed.