Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to His Eminence Cardinal Francis Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto, who was recently elevated by Pope Francis to the College of Cardinals in the Vatican.
Born as an Italian Canadian in Montreal, Cardinal Leo's vocational service has been rooted in compassion, love and inclusion. His advocacy for truth and reconciliation, the LGBTQ+ community and the vulnerable has been a force for good within the Catholic Church. Cardinal Leo is also a champion for education, including the integration of indigenous history within educational programs across Catholic institutions. This represents a hopeful direction for the Catholic Church to foster mutual trust and healing.
Cardinal Leo said that, when he heard about his elevation to the College of Cardinals, his phone “lit up like a Christmas tree”. It may have been an early gift from the Pope, but the true present is Cardinal Leo's service to his community. May his tenure inspire hope, love and renewal within the Church and beyond.
Auguri e buon natale.