The Archbishop of Toronto is among 21 new cardinals Pope Francis named Sunday and the lone new cardinal from North America.
Archbishop Francis Leo, 53, was born in Montreal and previously served as vicar general and moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal and auxiliary bishop of Montreal. He has served as archbishop of Toronto since March 2023.
Leo was not available for interviews Sunday as the archdiocese said the news was quite sudden, but he issued a statement saying he is humbled and honoured to receive the appointment.
“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,” he wrote.
The Pope significantly increased the …