Cardinal Francis Leo’s promotion within the universal Catholic hierarchy also proved to be a gift for Neil MacCarthy, the longtime director of publications and communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto.

MacCarthy has now played a key logistical role in elevating two archbishops into the College of Cardinals. Very few Church officials receive that opportunity once, let alone twice. It is safe to declare that the lifetime Torontonian accomplished a rare feat.

In an interview with The Catholic Register, conducted before he jetted off to Rome for the Dec. 7 consistory elevating Leo to the College of Cardinals, MacCarthy predicted that he would take in this papal consistory with a similar mentality to how he reacted in 2012 when Cardinal Thomas Collins received his red hat and ring. He felt duty-bound to ensure the people around him were satisfied with the proceedings, while also endeavouring to roll with the punches.

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“To be honest it's wanting to make sure that things go as well as they can and that people have powerful, joyful and memorable experiences,” said MacCarthy. “It's more relief if things go well and stress when things are not going as you intended.”

Though not afforded the same freedom to “ooh and awe” at every sight and sound like the Catholics attending the ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica as pilgrims, MacCarthy found moments to stop and marvel at the historical splendour of what was unfolding before his eyes.

“With Cardinal Collins, (just) being able to have a bit of time with him just one-on-one or in a small group to say, ‘wow, you just became a cardinal, this is incredible,’ ” said MacCarthy.

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When MacCarthy began his archdiocesan role in 2006, he did not envision he would be serving as a go-to guy for a cleric who would ultimately be honoured by the Pope, Benedict XVI in Collins’ case. 

He said he felt a kinship with Collins as it was clear that the humble leader of the Toronto archdiocese from 2007 to 2023 never aspired to this moment of grandeur either. And though outside observers could have viewed Leo’s entry into the College of Cardinals as an inevitability given he rapidly ascended from Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal to Archbishop of Toronto in under seven months, he likely never expected this appointment either.

In addition to cherishing the special behind-the-scenes moments with his employers, MacCarthy said any celebration involving the Pope is something to behold.

“It's almost indescribable for people who haven't been to a papal event,” said MacCarthy. “Even if you are not super close to where the Pope is, just being in the same room or the same church, you always know when the Pope enters a room or enters the basilica because there's just an excitement and an energy that's there.”

Upon learning the news on Oct. 6 that Leo would become a cardinal on Dec. 7, MacCarthy sprang into action. He quickly mobilized to send out a press release, and essentially he and a host of other staffers have made preparations at a fever pitch ever since.

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MacCarthy helped facilitate and communicate air travel and hotel accommodation details. He also worked to secure as many tickets as possible for the consistory and the Mass with Pope Francis the following day. The archdiocesan organizing team also arranged welcome and farewell dinners for the delegation and a post-consistory celebratory reception. Because of the intrigue generated by Leo being the only prelate selected from North America among the group of 21, MacCarthy fielded a larger-than-normal batch of interview requests.

The “craziness and hectic pace,” in MacCarthy’s words, will not subside much once he returns to Toronto. Multiple local celebrations are being held in Leo’s honour early in 2025.