Frank Leo
Stored: Frank Leo
| His Eminence Frank Leo | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Toronto | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Montreal |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Tamada |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 14 December 1996 by Archbishop Jean-Claude Turcotte |
| Consecration: | 12 September 2022 by Archbishop Christian Lépine |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 7 December 2024 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Francis Leo 30 June 1971 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Canadian |
| Education: | International Marian Research Institute |
| Motto: | "Quodcumque Dixerit Facite" (Do Whatever He Tells You) |
| Role: | Pastoral |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | North America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Francis "Frank" Leo, born on 30 June 1971, is a Canadian prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto since 2023 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 7 December 2024.[1] Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Italian immigrant parents, he was ordained a priest in 1996 for the Archdiocese of Montreal, served as Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal (2022–2023), and joined the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Dominic in 2007.[2] Known for his moderate theology and Mariology expertise, Leo emphasizes spiritual renewal and pastoral care for youth and families, though his traditional views on contraception and women’s ordination have drawn criticism.[3]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria della Salute a Primavalle, Leo serves as a member of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts (2025) and is president of the Canadian Mariological Society.[2] His diplomatic service (2008–2012) included postings in Australia and Hong Kong, and he has taught theology in Montreal, Canberra, Dayton, and Ottawa.[4] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave at age 53, Leo is noted in X posts for his humility and pro-life advocacy, though papabile speculation, including alleged Opus Dei ties, is unverified.[5][6] He continues to promote unity and Marian devotion in Toronto.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Francis "Frank" Leo was born on 30 June 1971 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Italian immigrants Francesco Leo and Rosa Valente.[1] He attended Eugenio Pacelli Elementary School, John F. Kennedy High School, and CEGEP Vanier in Montreal, a major City.[8] Devotion to Saints, particularly Mary, mother of Jesus, shaped his vocation, rooted in his parish life at Our Lady of Consolata.[4]
Raised in Montreal’s Little Italy, Leo’s early life reflected the struggles of immigrant families, fostering his commitment to community and faith.[3] His parish was a spiritual and social anchor.[9]
Education
Leo entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy (1992) and a bachelor’s degree in theology (1995) from the Institut de Formation Théologique de Montréal.[2] He obtained a licentiate (2002) and doctorate (2004) in systematic theology, specializing in Mariology, from the International Marian Research Institute (University of Dayton), and studied canon law, diplomacy, and international law at the Pontifical Lateran University.[4] He holds a licentiate in philosophy (Pontifical Lateran University), a diploma in classical studies (Université de Montréal), and a certificate in spiritual direction (Aquinas Institute of Theology).[8] He was ordained a priest on 14 December 1996 by Archbishop Jean-Claude Turcotte in the Roman Rite.[1]
His academic roles included teaching theology, spirituality, and philosophy in Montreal, Canberra, Dayton, and Ottawa, equipping him for pastoral and diplomatic roles.[4] Leo speaks English, French, Italian, and Spanish.[8]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Archdiocese of Montreal in 1996, Leo served as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Consolata (1996–2001), parochial administrator at Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière-des-Prairies (2003–2005), chaplain and teacher at Roscelli School and Collège Reine-Marie (2003–2005), and pastor at Saint-Raymond-de-Peñafort (2005–2006).[2] From 2006 to 2008, he studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, joining the Holy See’s diplomatic service (2008–2012) with postings to the apostolic nunciature in Australia (2008–2011) and the Holy See Study Mission in Hong Kong (2011–2012).[1] Appointed Chaplain of His Holiness in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI, he returned to Canada as a Seminary formation team member at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal.[4] He was General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (2015–2021) and Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of Montreal (2022).[8]
His priesthood with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Dominic focused on parish ministry, diplomacy, and formation, shaping his pastoral leadership.[7]
Bishop
Appointed Titular Bishop of Tamada and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal on 16 July 2022 by Pope Francis, Leo was consecrated on 12 September 2022 by Archbishop Christian Lépine.[1] Named Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto on 11 February 2023, he was installed on 25 March 2023.[8] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria della Salute a Primavalle on 7 December 2024, he was appointed to the Dicastery for Legislative Texts on 11 January 2025.[2]
His moderate theology emphasizes Marian devotion and spiritual awakening, though his 2024 pastoral letter’s traditional tone drew criticism for lacking inclusivity.[3] X posts praise his humility and pro-life stance, but Opus Dei allegations are unverified.[6]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Montreal | Auxiliary Bishop | 16 July 2022 | 11 February 2023 | Titular Bishop of Tamada, consecrated 12 September 2022 |
| Archdiocese of Toronto | Metropolitan Archbishop | 11 February 2023 | Present | Installed 25 March 2023, cardinal since 2024 |
Significant events
- Entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990.[8]
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal on 14 December 1996 by Archbishop Jean-Claude Turcotte.[1]
- Joined the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Dominic in 2007.[1]
- Served in the Holy See’s diplomatic service in Australia (2008–2011) and Hong Kong (2011–2012).[2]
- Appointed Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI on 9 January 2012.[8]
- General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (2015–2021).[4]
- Appointed Titular Bishop of Tamada and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal on 16 July 2022.[1]
- Consecrated on 12 September 2022 by Archbishop Christian Lépine.[1]
- Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto on 11 February 2023.[8]
- Received the pallium on 29 September 2023 from Apostolic Nuncio Ivan Jurkovič.[8]
- Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Maria della Salute a Primavalle on 7 December 2024.[2]
- Appointed to the Dicastery for Legislative Texts on 11 January 2025.[2]
- Issued a pastoral letter in January 2024, citing figures like Fulton Sheen and Dom Helder Camara.[4]
- Defended pro-life charities in a February 2025 letter to the Canadian Finance Minister.[10]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Williams, Megan (7 December 2024). "Pope makes Archbishop of Toronto a cardinal". https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/archbishop-francis-leo-cardinal-1.7400542.
- "Cardinal Francis Leo". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/frank-leo.
- La Rosa, Angelica (27 April 2025). "Conosciamo il Cardinale elettore Frank Leo". https://www.infocattolica.com/?t=noticia&cod=49274.
Written by the bishop
- No books solely authored by Cardinal Frank Leo have been identified in available sources, though he has written pastoral letters, homilies, and a doctoral dissertation on Fra Girolamo Savonarola’s Mariology.[4]
External links
- Frank Cardinal Leo at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Frank Leo at Vatican Press
- Frank Cardinal Leo at Archdiocese of Toronto
- Canada’s new Cardinal: Church’s outreach must start from the human heart at Vatican News
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Cheney, David M.. "Frank Cardinal Leo". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bleof.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Cardinal Frank Leo". 7 December 2024. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_leo.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Williams, Megan (7 December 2024). "Pope makes Archbishop of Toronto a cardinal". https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/archbishop-francis-leo-cardinal-1.7400542.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 "Cardinal Francis Leo". 6 December 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/frank-leo.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedlanacion - ↑ 6.0 6.1 La Rosa, Angelica (27 April 2025). "Conosciamo il Cardinale elettore Frank Leo". https://www.infocattolica.com/?t=noticia&cod=49274.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Canada’s new Cardinal: Church’s outreach must start from the human heart". 7 December 2024. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-12/cardinal-frank-leo-toronto-interview.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 "Frank Cardinal Leo". https://www.archtoronto.org/en/about-us/our-bishops/frank-cardinal-leo/.
- ↑ "Cardinal Leo". 6 December 2024. https://www.catholicregister.org/item/37779-cardinal-leo.
- ↑ Baklinski, Pete (21 February 2025). "Canada’s newest Catholic Cardinal defends pro-life charities". https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/canadas-newest-catholic-cardinal-defends-pro-life-charities/.