New Archbishop of Toronto to be installed Saturday

The Archbishop of Toronto will officially be installed in a ceremony at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on March 25 that will kick off his assignment as the “shepherd” of Canada’s largest Catholic diocese.

Pope Francis appointed Francis Leo as the 14th Archbishop of Toronto last year at age 50, replacing Cardinal Thomas Collins. Toronto’s diocese consists of almost two million Catholics and 225 parishes..

Leo comes to Toronto after serving several months as Montreal’s auxiliary bishop. He said his Toronto appointment came as a surprise, but a welcome one.

“I look forward to giving the rest of my life as, as the spiritual leader here from a symbolic and spiritual perspective. When you become a bishop, you get a ring and it’s a spousal marital relationship,” said Leo to Omni News

Ordained a priest in 1996, he entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service where he was general secretary of the Canadian episcopal conference for six years in Ottawa before going back home to Montreal.

One of the main issues that has plagued the Catholic Church is the ongoing sexual abuse scandal. It’s an issue that Archbishop Leo said needs to be addressed.

“Certainly, the abuse crisis has been awful across the country and across the world. My firm purpose is never any abuse. Zero tolerance,” said Leo.

A mandate set out by Pope Francis and Leo vows to live by its guidance.

“There are policies already in place for a safe environment and protecting minors and vulnerable adults and preventing all forms of abuse. And we’re going to continue with that,” said Leo.

Archbishop Leo is set to celebrate mass 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica following his installment.