Hope and Unity: Toronto Catholics Embrace Pope Leo XIV’s Message of Peace

On a bright spring afternoon in downtown Toronto, Catholics gathered at St. Michael’s Cathedral to celebrate the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, embracing his message of peace and unity in a world marked by division.
Among the faithful was Levi Lacson, 76, a Filipino Canadian who regularly attends Friday Mass. Though he had hoped Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle would make history as the first pope from the Philippines, Lacson expressed joy in Pope Leo’s global message. “I hope it is peaceful all over the world,” he said, praising the new Pope’s focus on unity and his ties to Latin America, particularly Peru.
Aileen Thorne, 74, a devout Catholic originally from Trinidad, shared similar sentiments. While she had hoped for the election of a pope from Africa to reflect Catholicism’s growth in the Global South, she remains hopeful that Pope Leo will continue the compassionate legacy of Pope Francis. “We need someone who will help the less fortunate,” she said, emphasizing issues like poverty, hunger, and the plight of refugees.
The election of the 69-year-old Pope has also inspired younger Catholics like Salina Asfaha, 27, a hospital worker who attends Mass during her work breaks. “His age makes me feel optimistic,” she said, adding that she hopes he becomes a unifying figure and continues efforts to include marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ population.
For many, the announcement of Pope Leo brought a sense of calm. “It gives us a lot of hope,” said Venus Regalado, 59, recalling the moment she saw the white smoke rise. In a time of global uncertainty, Toronto’s Catholic community sees in Pope Leo XIV a chance for renewed faith and unity.