Their latest visit to the City of Seven Hills is undoubtedly among the sweetest of these adventures. Joyfully, they witnessed Francis Leo’s elevation into the College of Cardinals in the Vatican on Dec. 7.
One day later, they beheld their friend and this native son of Montreal strolling up the aisle to the front of St. Peter’s Basilica accompanied by his fellow members of the cardinalate to participate in the 9:30 a.m. Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.
The Zucchis close friendship with Leo dates back to 1990 before he became a priest, a diplomat for the Holy See, a general secretary for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), an Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal and a Cardinal-Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Toronto.
They first knew him as a fresh-faced 19-year-old beginning his studies at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal. Cecilia served as his professor of philosophy. She warmly recalled her first impressions of the young man taking his first steps into the world of priestly formation.
“Everything was new to him, but at the same time he was very active in the seminary,” said Cecilia. “He was happy to be there. It was clear to him that it was his place. This moment of adjustment that every seminarian has I didn’t think was long for him.”
Cecilia, and soon John, came to deeply enjoy their fellow Italian’s company. He was a frequent guest at their home for dinner. Save for a dislike of fish, Leo enjoyed everything served at the Zucchi dinner table. Cecilia described the future Cardinal as “an attentive eater” who would not engage in gluttony.
John, an academic like his wife and presently a history and classical studies professor at McGill University, initially heard about Leo via a glowing character report from Cecilia, and all these qualities were manifest when John met Leo for the first time.
“She told me that she had a student in her class who was just authentic, friendly and reached out to everyone,” said John. “That is exactly what I saw when I met him. He was always joyful. He liked to joke, but it would be the kind of joke with a sense of seriousness underneath it all.”
These great traits have manifestly remained intact within the 53-year-old Leo in the 34 years since his friendship started with the couple. They appreciate that Leo sculpts out time in his exceedingly busy itinerary for a Zoom or phone call at least once every two months.
Certain moments of this treasured, enduring bond with Leo stand out to Cecilia and John.
Once Leo returned to Canada from Hong Kong, his final assignment for the Diplomatic Relations of the Holy See, Cecilia appreciated that Leo went full circle by teaching theology and philosophy at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal starting in 2012. He also provided spiritual direction and accompaniment for the priesthood candidates.
“He was trying to be close to the seminarians, but not too close as he was serving as a director,” said Cecilia. “He was very concerned about their dedication and their accompaniment.”
Leo also stepped up to steer the seminary’s canon law department. Even though it was not a specialty, Cecilia said he approached this position with passion.
As for John, the impressive number of appointments Leo has received at a relatively young age stands out because he reacts the same way on each occasion.
“Every single time I would never have thought of him being appointed at any of these levels, and yet when the appointment comes in you go, ‘of course, it’s so obvious,’ " said John with a chuckle. “It points to me God’s wisdom in all this. Every time I have spoken to him afterwards, he’s just as surprised. It is truly an authentic reaction. It’s beautiful to see his humility of hoping to be worthy of the role.”
The installation of Leo as Archbishop of Toronto on March 25, 2023, also looms large as a memory. The Zucchis were touched and impressed by how many old friends and classmates were in attendance. They viewed it as a testament to how Leo values relationships and inspires loyalty. The entire Papal Consistory weekend was an opportunity for the Zucchis to witness this phenomenon again.