Archbishop Leo in Rome for June 29 Mass with Pope Francis – Blessing of the Pallium for World’s Newest Shepherds - Broadcast Details

On Thursday, June 29, 2023, His Holiness, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. At the start of the celebration, the Holy Father will bless the pallium that will be worn by metropolitan archbishops appointed over the past year, including His Grace, the Most Rev. Francis Leo, who was installed as Archbishop of Toronto at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on March 25, 2023.

The Mass and blessing of the pallia will be broadcast on Salt and Light television starting at 11:30 a.m. and will be streamed online here at that time. The booklet for the celebration can be downloaded here.

It is customary for the Solemnity’s Holy Mass to be celebrated in the presence of bishops and cardinals as well delegations from metropolitan (arch)dioceses around the world. Archbishop Leo will be joined in Rome by Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Thomas Collins, along with a small delegation representing the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Toronto encompasses the dioceses of Hamilton, London, St. Catharines and Thunder Bay. Archbishop Leo will have the pallium formally presented to him by the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, in a ceremony to take place at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on the feast of St. Michael, September 29, 2023. All will be welcome for the September celebration.

The pallium is a stole-like, vestment, worn on top of the chasuble of metropolitan archbishops when celebrating Mass. Traditionally, they are made from white wool from two lambs blessed each year by the Holy Father on the feast of St. Agnes (January 21). They are approximately two inches wide and are worn on the shoulders.

We pray for Archbishop Leo and all the newest metropolitan archbishops as they begin their ministry to the faithful throughout our global faith community.