Discounting the brief wave and greeting I directed to Toronto Archbishop Francis Leo when I viewed him touring The Catholic Register’s office on Yonge Street from the comfort of my remote workspace in Calgary, I first enjoyed a full-on interaction with the now Cardinal this past January.

On Jan. 5, I interviewed him about "Seeking the Kingdom of God Above and Beyond All Other Things", the first pastoral letter he penned as archbishop, released on New Year's Day.

My goal with this article was not just to effectively communicate Leo’s written teachings about making the Kingdom of God a reality through charitable service, devotion to Jesus and being nourished by daily prayer and Scripture. I sought to relay that these written insights were inspired by what he had seen and heard thus far as spiritual shepherd of the Archdiocese of Toronto.

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Leo went everywhere and met everyone imaginable during his first nine months on the job. He visited schools, health centres, social service agencies and the headquarters of various religious orders. And among the 225 parishes of the archdiocese, it would probably be more expeditious to put together a list of the ones he has not seen.

For the first, and perhaps only, time in a decade-old reporting career, this journalist felt inspired to evoke Dr. Seuss! I felt that the legendary children’s author and illustrator’s last book — Oh, the Places You'll Go! — exemplified the joie de vivre and carpe diem spirit fuelling the new archbishop’s internal motor. 

It was clear to all, even me situated 3,400 kilometres away, that Leo had quickly emerged as a compelling model of industrious and devout Christian service.

Among the many reasons I am honoured to represent The Catholic Register in Rome, at the papal consistory on Dec. 7, is that I now have the opportunity to experience Cardinal Francis Leo in person.

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Figures from his past and fellow bishops praise the Montreal native’s piercing intelligence, warm sense of humour and penchant for being a great listener among the many reasons they cherish face-to-face interactions with the man. I am looking forward to shaking hands and engaging in pleasantries with Leo in addition to interviewing him in Vatican City.

When I spoke to Leo one day after he was named one of the 21 new entrants into the College of Cardinals back in October, he said he would discern how he could serve the people of God even more through this appointment. I will be very keen to learn if he has devised any notions on how to achieve this noble aspiration in the 60 days after receiving the red hat call that came out of the blue.

Going to Rome on behalf of the Register will also provide me the opportunity to tell the compelling life stories of the people who helped make Leo into the servant of the Church he is today. I will be speaking to John and Cecilia Zucchi, friends who helped spiritually formulate Leo during his days at the Grand Séminaire De Montréal.

I also understand that his father Francesco is also returning to his native Italy for the first time since 1953. To make a homecoming after 71 years… and the fact that it was made possible by the elevation of his son to the level of cardinal… wow! Though I understand that he will not be available for an interview, I nevertheless hope to encounter the man during this emotionally powerful sojourn.   

On a more personal note, I thank God for blessing me with the opportunity to travel to Rome for the first time. I last came to Italy in 2018 to broadcast hockey games at elite World Select Invitational tournaments staged in Bolzano, Egna (also known as Neumarkt) and Merano. I relished the pasta and gelato, appreciated the historical murals and castles and even enjoyed an escapade inside an apple orchard maze.

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I hoped to visit Rome one day, but I never thought that I would ever have the opportunity to do reporting from inside the Vatican. Though I will always remain steadfast in my conviction that ordinary believers doing extraordinary things on behalf of God represent the best of Catholicism, it will undeniably be special to witness this assemblage of Catholic leaders from around the world.

It is thanks to the devoted subscribers of The Catholic Register that I have the opportunity to chronicle this historic papal consistory. I am grateful for you dear readers and you will be on my mind each day during this adventure.