The Return of Cardinal Frank Leo:
A Welcome Filled with Love and Pride

Montreal, 2025-03-26

On March 22 and 23, 2025, Montreal welcomed His Eminence Cardinal Frank Leo with immense joy. From all over the diocese, the faithful gathered to greet the man who, with humility and faith, has touched many lives. It was a moment of deep communion, reflecting the love and pride the community feels for one of its own.

A Multicultural and Intergenerational Celebration

On March 22, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral vibrated to the rhythm of a multilingual celebration in French, English and Italian. The diversity of the participants bore witness to the impact of Cardinal Leo through his ministry. The mass was marked by great joy, as friends, colleagues, former parishioners and family members gathered to express their gratitude.

The next day, March 23, the parish of Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolata, where the Cardinal grew up, received his sacraments and served as a priest, opened its doors for two celebrations. The morning mass, in Italian, paid tribute to the Cardinal’s roots and the profound contribution of the Italian community to the Church of Montreal. In the afternoon, a mass in English allowed other members of the diocesan community to join in the celebration.

An Emotional Return

Wherever he went, the warmth and gratitude were palpable. Among the crowd were his former history teacher, classmates, parishioners and even his high school chaplain, Father David. Father David, with a smile on his face, recalled with emotion the young Frank, faithfully serving mass every morning.

Children presented the Cardinal with colorful drawings, expressing with simplicity their joy at meeting one of their own who had become a Cardinal. The queues to have their photo taken with him lasted for hours, but the enthusiasm never flagged. For many, it was a unique opportunity to show their affection and gratitude.

An Inspiring Message

In his homily, Cardinal Leo recalled the joy of God’s love and our mission to open our hearts to Christ. “A Cardinal is like a hinge, opening doors,” he explained. He encouraged everyone not to be afraid to bear witness to their faith and to be an instrument of hope.

With humility, he asked the faithful to pray for him, emphasizing how essential communion in prayer is. “May we remain united in the Lord,” he concluded, to warm applause.

A Call for Vocations

Cardinal Leo also made a stirring appeal for priestly vocations. “The world needs Jesus, and therefore the world needs priests,” he said. He invited families to encourage and support young people in their discernment, recalling the beauty of giving oneself in the service of the Church.

An Event Etched in Our Hearts

As the celebrations drew to a close, a feeling of unity and gratitude lingered on. Cardinal Leo’s return was much more than a visit; it was a moment when the Church of Montreal celebrated the faithfulness of a son of the diocese, a witness to the love of God.

And as Archbishop Lépine so aptly put it:

“We welcome one of our own with joy and pride. We give thanks to God for the gift of his vocation and pray that he will continue to be a living sign of the love of Christ.”

Cardinal Leo, with simplicity and affection, recalled the very essence of the Christian mission: to open the door of the heart to Christ and never be afraid to bear witness.

May his testimony continue to inspire and guide the faithful of Montreal and elsewhere.

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Isabel Correa
Director, Mission Jeunesse Youth Ministry
Director, Communications
Archdiocese of Montreal