This week’ Vatican Connections looks at the innovations of Pope Francis: using the Vatican’s media spokesperson to confirm the date of a consistory for new Cardinals, and celebrating All Saints day Mass at the Verano Cemetary for the first time in 20 years. Plus we bring you a look at the Vatican’s involvement in the ...read more

To some, the leadership of the Church represents a distant, shadowy club. The term “hierarchy” has been irreparably damaged, so loaded with connotations of stodgy elites isolated in plush curial offices. But those who actually know the leaders of our Church can see a very different image. The Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto, Thomas Collins, is ...read more

When a bishop becomes a cardinal, he receives a new red hat and several new jobs within the Church, among them that of pastor for a Roman parish. Six bishops from different parts of the world will become Roman pastors this Saturday. Pope Benedict XVI announced on October 24 that he would elevate six bishops ...read more

Published below is a copy of Pope Benedict’s address he gave yesterday in St. Peter’s Square. He continued his new series of catechesis, speaking about faith. In a surprise move, Pope Benedict also announced plans for a November consistory, which will see the creation and installation of six new Cardinals. Dear brothers and sisters, Last ...read more

As Mass began in Toronto’s Cathedral this morning, more than a few familiar faces lined the pews. The mayors of Toronto and its neighbouring municipalities were in attendance, seated alongside an MPP from the Ontario government, the provincial leader of the opposition, and the Lieutenant Governor. They came to welcome back one of their own. ...read more

Tune in to Salt + Light as Canada welcomes home its newest Cardinal, His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, with a special Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 10:30am ET / 7:30am PT LIVE from St. Michael’s Cathedral. In addition to the expected 1,000 well-wishers, dignitaries and friends that are expected to attend, ...read more

Not only did Pope Benedict XVI give Canada a new Cardinal, but he also approved the canonization of a new Canadian Saint. Along with six others, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha will be proclaimed a saint later this year — on October 21, 2012. Published below is an official statement released by Archbishop Richard Smith, president of ...read more

The time has finally come! After countless interviews and extensive coverage, Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto was formally inducted into the College of Cardinals at a public consistory earlier today. Collins is now the 16th Cardinal in Canadian history. As you can see in the video above, Archbishop Collins was called forward by Pope Benedict ...read more

This morning in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict created 22 new Cardinals at an Ordinary Public Consistory. Included among them was the Archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Thomas Collins. During his address, the Holy Father told the new Cardinals that the scarlet colour of their robes and birettas is a symbol of martyrdom. Like Christ, and ...read more

Programming note: For the Mass with new Cardinals on Sunday, we will repeat the liturgy at 10:00am ET (not at 11:15am, as previously advertised). We have also added a repeat broadcast of the French translation of the Mass with New Cardinals at 4:00pm ET. The times of the live broadcast and evening repeats are unchanged. ...read more