Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Francis (Frank) Leo, currently Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal, as the 14th Archbishop of Toronto. The archbishop-designate succeeds Cardinal Thomas Collins. The new archbishop will be installed at a ceremony at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on a date to be confirmed in the coming days.

Click here to access a special greeting from Archbishop-designate Leo to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

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Communiqué - Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal

Montreal, February 11, 2023 – Pope Francis has appointed Montreal Auxiliary Bishop Frank Leo as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto, the Vatican announced today.

The Archdiocese of Montreal congratulates Bishop Leo and offers its prayerful support as he assumes a new role as the shepherd of the largest diocese in Canada.

“Bishop Leo has served the people of God in Montreal faithfully, first as a priest, then as Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia since February 2022,” stated Archbishop Christian Lépine. “I am especially grateful for the dedication with which he served and, for his new mission, I wish him the grace of God which never fails” the Archbishop of Montreal stated.

“We are losing a precious collaborator who has been committed from the outset at the service of the fulfillment of the mission of our diocesan Church, overcoming several challenges,” the Archbishop continued, “Bishop Frank undertook his mandate with diligence and integrity and for which I remain deeply appreciative.”

Archbishop-designate Leo commented on the announcement: “It is with great humility that I accept this appointment from the Holy Father to serve the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto. I thank Pope Francis for the confidence he has placed in me. This was a most unexpected appointment, yet I have learned throughout my priesthood and service to the Church that God’s special plans for us unfold in unexpected moments that lead to tremendous blessings. I am eternally grateful for the many blessings I have received in serving in the archdiocese of Montreal and I will keep its faithful in my prayer every day.”

The Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal, Most Rev. Alain Faubert, for his part, commented on the appointment: “I welcome with great joy in my heart the appointment of Bishop Frank as Archbishop of Toronto and I wish him a very fruitful ministry. May Our Lady of Ville-Marie inspire him with confidence and audacity in following our Lord Jesus Christ."

Bishop Leo was ordained a priest for service to the Archdiocese on 1996. Father Leo served in different parish assignments in Montreal until 2006 when he accepted the invitation to enroll in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome and subsequently enter the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See (2006-2012) serving in different Apostolic Nunciatures across the globe. In January 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Chaplain of His Holiness bestowing the title of Monsignor.

Upon his return to Canada, Monsignor Leo joined the formation team of the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy while providing spiritual direction, training and accompaniment to candidates for the priesthood. In the fall of 2015, he was appointed General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a mandate which came to an end in the fall of 2021.

As of February 1, 2022, Monsignor Leo was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal. On July 16, 2022, Pope Francis appointed him as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal. His consecration as a bishop took place on September 12, 2022.

Archbishop Leo now succeeds Cardinal Thomas Collins, who tendered his resignation as Archbishop of Toronto on his 75th birthday (January 16, 2022).