This weekend, Cardinal-elect Leo is in Rome as one of 21 new cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis. The following events will be taking place at the Vatican:

1. Saturday, December 7, 2024, 4 p.m. (Rome)/10 a.m. (Toronto)
   Consistory/Liturgy of the Word with Pope Francis
   The newest members of the College of Cardinals will receive their biretta, ring and titular Church
   
   
2. Sunday, December 8, 2024, 9:30 a.m. (Rome)/3:30 a.m. (Toronto)
   Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
   Mass with Pope Francis and members of the College of Cardinals

Cardinal-elect Leo commented on the appointment:

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this appointment from the Holy Father. I pray and rely on the prayers of the faithful in Toronto that I will be a worthy servant of the Lord Jesus in fulfilling my responsibilities as a member of the College of Cardinals and to continue in my primary role as shepherd of the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto. I entrust to the Blessed Mother Mary, myself and this new ministry of service to the Universal Church and to the Successor of St. Peter, the Pope.”

Born in Montreal in 1971 to Italian immigrant parents, Frank Leo entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese on December 14, 1996. Father Leo served in different parish assignments in Montreal until 2006 when he accepted the invitation to enroll in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and subsequently enter the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See (2006-2012) serving in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe. In January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness bestowing the title of Monsignor.

Upon his return to Canada, Monsignor Leo joined the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy while providing spiritual direction, training and accompaniment to candidates for the priesthood. In the fall of 2015, he was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a mandate which came to an end in the fall of 2021.

As of February 1, 2022, Monsignor Leo was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal. On July 16, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal. His consecration as a bishop took place on September 12, 2022. He was appointed Archbishop of Toronto on February 11, 2023 and formally installed on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

In addition to his extensive graduate studies in Canon Law (Lateran University), Diplomacy and International Law, Cardinal-designate Leo holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology (University of Dayton⁄IMRI) with a specialization in Mariology, a Licentiate in Philosophy (Lateran University), a Diploma in Classical Studies (Université de Montréal) and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction (Aquinas Institute of Theology). He has taught, among other places, in Montreal, Canberra (Australia), Dayton (USA) and Ottawa. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.

Cardinals serve as close advisors to the Holy Father and participate whenever there is a conclave, as voting members, to select the next Pope. Following today’s announcement, including the new Cardinal-electors, there will be 256 cardinals, including 141 Cardinal electors. Cardinals are eligible to vote in conclave until they reach their 80^th birthday. Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Thomas Collins of Toronto remains a cardinal elector until January of 2027. Other Cardinal-electors from Canada include Cardinal Gérald Lacroix of the Archdiocese of Quebec and Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. Retired Cardinal Marc Ouellet reached the age of 80 earlier this year.

This weekend, Cardinal-elect Leo is in Rome as one of 21 new cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis. The following events will be taking place at the Vatican:

1. Saturday, December 7, 2024, 4 p.m. (Rome)/10 a.m. (Toronto)
   Consistory/Liturgy of the Word with Pope Francis
   The newest members of the College of Cardinals will receive their biretta, ring and titular Church
   
   
2. Sunday, December 8, 2024, 9:30 a.m. (Rome)/3:30 a.m. (Toronto)
   Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
   Mass with Pope Francis and members of the College of Cardinals

The celebrations can be accessed through the following outlets:

• Salt and Light
• EWTN

Please pray for our new cardinal and all those elevated to the College of Cardinals as they begin this important role of service to the Church.