Cardinal Francis “Frank” Leo, the current Archbishop of Toronto, is a highly skilled multilingual prelate and renowned Mariologist with extensive academic and diplomatic training who has risen rapidly through the ecclesiastical ranks to head the second most populous diocese in Canada.

Born on June 30, 1971, in Montreal to Italian immigrant parents, after attending elementary and high school Leo entered the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in 1990 and was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal on December 14, 1996.

After his ordination, Leo served in various parish assignments in Montreal, including as assistant pastor at Our Lady of Consolata, parochial administrator of Saint-Joseph-de-RDP, and pastor of Saint-Raymond-de-Peñafort.

In 2006, he enrolled in the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome, entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See and served as a Vatican official in different apostolic nunciatures worldwide until 2012.

Archbishop Leo’s educational background is extensive. He holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology with a specialization in Mariology from the University of Dayton, a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Lateran University, a Diploma in Classical Studies from the Université de Montréal, and a Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Aquinas Institute of Theology. He also completed graduate studies in Canon Law, Diplomacy, and International Law at the Pontifical Lateran University.

In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Leo as Chaplain of His Holiness, bestowing upon him the title of Monsignor. Upon returning to Canada, he joined the formation team at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal, teaching theology and philosophy.

From 2015 to 2021, Leo served as the General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. In February 2022, he was named Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Montreal.

His ascent through the Church hierarchy accelerated in July 2022 when Pope Francis appointed Leo as Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal. His consecration as a bishop took place on September 12, 2022. He was appointed Archbishop of Toronto the following February and installed as archbishop on March 25, 2023, becoming the chief pastor and spiritual leader of approximately two million Canadian Catholics in one of North America’s most diverse faith communities.

Pope Francis elevated Leo to the College of Cardinals on December 7, 2024.

Although relatively very young, he is well regarded for his linguistic and scholarly abilities, as well as his deft diplomatic style and administrative chops. He is also known as a man of faith and prayer, and as secretary general of the Canadian bishops’ conference, celebrated daily Mass at their headquarters.

He is also the president and founding member of the Canadian Mariological Society, a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic (Third Order Dominican).

As well as having taught theology, spirituality, and philosophy in various institutions across Montreal, Canberra (Australia), Dayton (USA), and Ottawa, Leo has also worked as a Judge for the Canadian Appeal Tribunal.