It was from this latter position that Pope Pius XII chose him to become Archbishop of Montreal on March 25, 1950. One month later, on 26 April, he was ordained bishop in Rome on the day of his 46th birthday. On the evening of May 17, Archbishop Paul-Émile Léger was installed as Archbishop of Montreal in the Basilica Cathedral by the Apostolic Delegate to Canada, Msgr. Ildebrando Antoniutti.

One episcopate, two stages and two styles

As has already been frequently pointed out: this episcopate is really divided into two stages of life with two different styles.

The first era spans approximately from 1950 to 1957. This is that of the post-war period, of rapid industrial development, of a strong demographic expansion, and of a Church that launched projects and held a certain degree of power. Nevertheless, the pastoral style of the new bishop exercised profound influence on the faithful who recognized Msgr. Léger as a charismatic leader. In terms of thought, he remains a man of tradition, suspicious of new things.

The second era spans from 1958 to 1967. It encompasses one of the great challenges facing Quebec society as a whole; the disruption of the certainties of yesterday. This was the beginning of the “quiet revolution”. The pastor's style was quite different. Without losing his magnetism, Cardinal Léger was a bishop capable of being a patient listener to people, eager for a Church that knew how to look with confidence at the evolution of times and put itself at the service of the real world.