Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Collins wears a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey as he walks in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, Thursday, Feb.16, 2012. Collins, 65, is about to become the 16th Canadian to be elevated to the position of cardinal, an elite group of advisers handpicked by the Pope.The Canadian Press
Move over Montreal. The Toronto Maple Leafs also have someone lobbying a higher power on their behalf.
Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins donned a personalized Maple Leafs sweater in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Thursday. He's one of 23 bishops in Rome this week preparing for elevation into the College of Cardinals.
"It's safe to say there are more than a few Toronto Maple Leafs fans in the pews of our parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto," Collins said in an Archdiocese release. "This is a fun way to let them, and all Catholics in our diocese, know that I am thinking of them at this time. I am truly proud and humbled to serve them all."
Last week, the Catholic church placed an ad in Montreal newspapers encouraging people to pray for an eighth-place finish — and a playoff spot — for the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal has earned five out of a possible eight points since the Catholic church made its appeal on Feb. 9.
The Leafs currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadiens were 12th in the East going into Thursday's schedule.