Canada’s largest Catholic diocese has a new archbishop.
Early Saturday morning, the Vatican announced the appointment of Bishop Francis Leo as the new archbishop for the Archdiocese of Toronto, which runs from Toronto to Georgian Bay and from Oshawa to Mississauga and comprises almost two million Catholics, roughly 400 priests, and 225 parishes.
“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," Leo wrote in a statement, thanking Cardinal Thomas Collins for his “ongoing support and years of faithful and inspiring service to the Church.”
Leo asked the archdiocese to pray for his as he prepares to “join them and journey together in celebrating and sharing the joy and beauty of our faith.”This news comes just weeks after Collins announced his resignation as Archbishop of Toronto. He stepped down on Jan. 16, the day of his 75th birthday. All bishops are required to submit their resignation when they turn 75.
Collins, who will continue to live within the Archdiocese of Toronto, was ordained to the priesthood in 1973. He was named bishop in 1997 and installed as Archbishop of Toronto in 2007 before being elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2012. Previously, Collins served as Bishop of Saint Paul, Alberta and Archbishop of Edmonton, Alberta.