Based on the personal recollections of Toronto's Cardinal Francis Leo, the only period of his life when he didn’t feel a call to religious life was when he was a young child growing up in the Villeray neighbourhood near Montreal’s Little Italy.
Cardinal finds strength in prayer, Mary, Canadian supporters
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterDescribing the Papal Consistory that welcomed him and 20 other leaders of the Catholic Church into the College of Cardinals as “very profound” and “beautiful,” Cardinal Francis Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto has deeply contemplated the prayers recited during the Dec. 7 ceremony in the Vatican.
From cardinal to cardinal: just do it
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterCardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, has the same advice for Toronto's new Cardinal Francis Leo that he would share with parishes seeking to carve its synodal path: do.
Longtime friends laud Leo's authenticity
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterLongtime Montreal married Catholics John and Cecilia Zucchi’s road in life has more than 20 times led to Rome.
Cardinal Leo will rely on grace of Christ
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterA spirit of gratitude radiated out of Toronto's new Cardinal Francis Leo — as vivid as the red cassock adorning him — as he entered a Dec. 7 reception at the Spazio Vittoria event space several hours after being elevated to the College of Cardinals.
Even in high school, Leo was 'Fr. Frank'
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterEven as a student attending John F. Kennedy High School in Montreal, now Cardinal Francis Leo was called “Fr. Frank.”
Always something special about new cardinal
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterFr. Robert Gendreau said it does not take long for people to realize that there is something special about Cardinal Francis Leo.
Toronto's Archbishop elevated along with 20 other Cardinals
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterStanding in communion alongside brother bishops from Argentina, Ecuador, Iran, Serbia and a rich assemblage of other nations, Toronto's Archbishop Francis Leo was elevated to the College of Cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica today.
Leo vows to 'suffer for the sake of the Gospel'
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterIn the presence of cardinals, bishops, priests, laity, colleagues, friends and family, Cardinal-elect Leo pledged a Dec. 6 welcome reception and dinner for the Canadian delegation to live up to the vows he will take at the Papal Consistory on Dec. 7.
Where will Leo fit in curia?
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterOntario’s Catholic bishops await learning which dicastery assignments Pope Francis will confer to new Cardinal Toronto Francis Leo with great anticipation.
Cardinal-elect Leo cherishing the moment
By Quinton Amundson, The Catholic RegisterIn October, when he was invited to join the College of Cardinals, Cardinal-elect Francis Leo said he would discern how this elevation could help him become an even better servant for the Archdiocese of Toronto and beyond.