College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

By Neomi De Anda, executive director, International Marian Research Institute

On October 6, Pope Francis named Archbishop Francis Leo of Toronto among 21 people from around the world to be made cardinals. Cardinal-elect Leo is a two-time graduate of the University of Dayton.

Cardinals serve a pivotal role in the Catholic Church as advisors to the pope and participate in the conclave when a papal election is needed, among other duties. The installment ceremony, known as the Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new Cardinals, is 10 a.m. EST Saturday, December 7, in Vatican City, Italy, and may be followed via this livestream link, which will be live the day of the event.

Cardinal-elect Leo graduated from the joint International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) program between UD and the Marianium in Rome. He earned his Sacred Theological Licentiate in 2002 and his Sacred Theological Doctorate in 2004. His dissertation, The Virgin Mother in the Sermons of Fra Girolamo Savonarola, was directed by Rev. Thomas Thompson, S.M. and may be downloaded through the UD eCommons website.

Beyond his service as an ordained minister of the Church, Cardinal-elect Leo has maintained an active scholarly life. Gloria Dodd, research professor in IMRI and the UD Department of Religious Studies, recalled Cardinal-elect Leo as a “wonderful colleague” during his tenure teaching at the International Marian Research Institute, which marks its 50th anniversary in 2024.

“His love for Our Lady was also shown as Archbishop through his 2024 letter providing resources to the Archdiocese of Toronto for an annual renewal of their consecration to Mary's Immaculate Heart, as Pope Francis requested,” Dodd said.

Cardinal-elect Leo co-founded the Canadian Mariological Society in 2014. Commenting about a paper Leo presented during one of the society’s gatherings, Fr. Johann Roten, S.M. said the cardinal-elect has a way of building a Mariology in which Mary is both our sister as well as a model for the Church. Some of the connections of these themes may be found in Leo’s homily at the Eucharistic Celebration where he was elevated to archbishop. 

The theme of the Incarnation of the Divine Word can be found deeply in Cardinal-elect Leo’s theology. For Leo, Mary’s role of consenting to the power of the Holy Spirit for the conception of Jesus, “the gift of Christ our Savior,” connects to the ways the Incarnation is made present. “Still in our days is born in our hearts and our families and our communities by the power of the Most High and through the prayers of the Mother of God, Theotokos and Mother of the Church,” Leo said in his homily.

Mary faithfully responds to the “many and diverse callings” from God and therefore serves as a model for daily life. “Like Mary, we open our hearts, we open our relationships, we open our families and our communities,” he continued.

In this part of his homily, one can see the Marianist notion that “inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mary brings Jesus into the world, dramatically showing those who believe that with God all things are possible.”

Cardinal-elect Leo said, “Our greatest claim is that we are servants of the Lord and no one better than the Mother is able to teach us this important lesson… She must be known, loved, welcomed, and served.”

Deep care for life through building better relationships because of the graces from a Triune God, the Most High, the Incarnate Word and the Holy Spirit and accompanied by the gift Mary holds core for how Frank Leo expresses God’s work in the world. 

The International Marian Research Institute and University of Dayton community celebrate the elevation of Cardinal-elect Francis Leo. Here are some ways for you to engage further with this celebration:

Pray

Cardinal-elect Leo has requested our prayers during his time of preparation for the Public Consistory and for his service as a cardinal. Let us pray for all Cardinals-elect and cardinals.

The following prayer is based on the LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS 

TO THE NEW CARDINALS, Saint John Lateran, 6 October 2024.

Together we pray:

We journey with you to keep your eyes raised to see farther and broaden your heart.

We amble with you curiously as you keep your hands joined to discern the will of God in your leadership alongside with the pope.

We peregrinate with you keeping our feet bare to touch a suffering world and respond with compassion. 

May the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified in all places through the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

Amen.