Only new Cardinal Francis Leo knows what he experienced when hearing the news announced Oct. 6 at the conclusion of Pope Francis’ Sunday Angelus that he would be elevated to the College of Cardinals, but if it was anything like his predecessor's experience in 2012, it is something he won’t forget anytime soon.

“I was in Washington, D.C., working with the International Commission on English in the Liturgy when in my hotel room I saw a little red light flashing on the phone that turned out to be a message from the nuncio telling me that Pope Benedict would name me a cardinal the next morning,” said Cardinal Thomas Collins of that day in early 2012. “Sure enough, Pope Benedict read off the list of the new cardinals and I was one of them — it was quite a remarkable experience.”

Collins looks back on his election experience as one of joy and beauty, not stress. He emphasized the hope that Leo undergoes a similar experience as he follows in the archbishop emeritus’ footsteps.

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“When Leo comes to the day itself, the actual consistory is a rather simple affair. It is not a Mass, but more of a prayer service. For me, we did it right in front of the altar over at the tomb of Peter. He’ll kneel in front of the Pope and the assistant puts on the zucchetto and the Pope puts on the beret and the ring on your finger,” he explained. 

“The ring was presented to Pope Benedict and he approved of it, but he added an eight-pointed star representing Our Lady. I think that will be particularly beautiful for Archbishop Leo due to his tremendous devotion to Our Lady.” 

In the days before Leo was set to be elevated to the College of Cardinals, Collins spent time with The Catholic Register to discuss what it means to see his good friend follow a similar path to his own just a few short years ago. The two have known each other for about a decade from when Leo was general secretary of the Canadian bishops's conference while Colins was on the permanent council.

While Collins only had the rest of the evening to sit with the life-altering news, he notes that Pope Francis may no longer alert cardinal-elects before the announcement. What remains the same, however, is how fast things began to move following the Holy Father’s decision.

He mentioned that apart from the practical elements such as ordering the proper robes and other vestments such as the zucchetto beret for the role, the initial visit to Rome is often a time full of logistical understanding of what each cardinal is set to undertake.  

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Like Collins, Leo will remain the Archbishop of Toronto, a position he has held since his installation in March 2023 when he succeeded Collins upon his mandatory retirement. Looking back, Collins fondly remembers that process as well, recalling the thorough tours, talks and information exchanges the two shared at the time of his appointment. 

After explaining what Leo can expect from his newest role, Collins stressed that his responsibility first and foremost remains to be a shepherd to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto, a sentiment Leo himself confirmed is his primary duty while fulfilling his responsibilities as a new member of the College of Cardinals. 

As for what it means to be a cardinal priest, Collins explained that it simply means to become a parish priest of Rome, a somewhat "honorary" position that Leo will learn more about upon his elevation. 

“I remember when we had the conclave and just before we went in, all of us cardinals dispersed throughout the city to our churches where we celebrated Mass with the people of Rome. Cardinal Leo will become not just a cardinal, he'll become a cardinal priest of a church where he will go and take possession of that parish,” he said. 

“There is a regular priest who handles the actual care for the people because cardinals are usually somewhere else running a diocese, but he will help the Bishop of Rome in his work for the universal Church and in due time, have the responsibility of electing the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.”

After sharing a multitude of advice through his own personal experience, Collins expressed his well-wishes for Leo during this exciting time as both a colleague and close friend.

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“After hearing the news I immediately texted him my deep joy and hallelujah and I have talked with him several times since to personally express my congratulations and my delight that he is going to be a cardinal. It is just wonderful and I think it is the sentiment of the people of Toronto as well, this feeling of joy,” he said. 

“I am going to be in Rome and I will just be so happy for him to be there with me in the College of Cardinals.”