The world reacts to Pope Leo XIV + Unpacking Carney's ambitious housing goals
Good morning. This is the Friday, May 9 edition of First Up, the Star's daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.
NOBODY MOVE! The Maple Leafs might not disappoint us this year. Have you been paying attention to their playoff prowess? Test your knowledge with our quiz.
Here's the latest on global reaction to Pope Leo XIV, Mark Carney's ambitious housing goals, and a Star investigation into the lack of oversight at fertility clinics.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
DON'T MISS
The many different views of the Catholic Church's new pontiff
Robert Francis Prevost — now Pope Leo XIV — was the surprise pick. Here's how people are reacting.
Who is Pope Leo? The politics and background of Robert Prevost
Michael Coren: The new Pope's reign should give us all hope.
Mark Carney blocks out time for Pope's installation, but unclear if he will attend
Unpacking Mark Carney's ambitious housing goal
Builders, analysts and academics alike are skeptical about whether Carney's promises are feasible. Here's why.
Carney, Poilievre want to turn back the clock on housing — but 2025 is not your parents' market. Here's what their plans could mean for you
Toronto-area home prices finally start to fall as buyers gain negotiating power
Disturbing errors are allegedly taking place at Ontario fertility clinics
As more aspiring parents turn to IVF and other procedures, allegations of disturbing clinic errors are mounting.
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Is it rude to recline your seat on a flight? Here's what experts say about airplane etiquette.
Business traveller anxiety is rising as tales of U.S. border harassment and delays emerge.
This episode of It's Political hears from Conservatives about what's happening after their election loss.
Still looking for a Mother's Day gift? Consider these beautiful local products they'll actually use.
Afternoon tea is a classic Mother's Day treat. Here are the best options in Toronto.
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The Sceptres' promising start in playoffs mirrors their progress in building a toehold in a giant market.
POV
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CLOSE UP
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost at the central loggia balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025.
TIZIANA FABI AFP via Getty Images
VATICAN: Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, appears on the main central loggia balcony of the Saint Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave.
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Toronto Sun
18 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
In White Sox stadium broadcast, Pope Leo XIV sends message of hope to Chicago and the U.S.
Published Jun 14, 2025 • 2 minute read FILE - The Chicago White Sox commemorate the fandom of Pope Leo XIV with a graphic installation at Rate Field in Chicago, Monday, May 19, 2025. Photo by Nam Y. Huh / AP In his first words directed specifically to Americans, Pope Leo XIV told young people on Saturday how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and in service to others. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'So many people who suffer from different experiences of depression or sadness — they can discover that the love of God is truly healing, that it brings hope,' the first American pope said in a video broadcast on the jumbotron at the White Sox baseball stadium in Chicago. The event — set in Leo's hometown and at the home stadium of his favourite major league team — was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago in honour of his recent election as pope. Leo seized the opportunity to speak directly to young people, tying his message to the Catholic Church's ongoing Jubilee year of hope that was declared by Pope Francis. In Saturday's message, Leo urged those listening in the stadium and online to be beacons of hope capable of inspiring others. 'To share that message of hope with one another — in outreach, in service, in looking for ways to make our world a better place — gives true life to all of us, and is a sign of hope for the whole world.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The afternoon program, emceed by Chicago Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky, highlighted Leo's roots, including music by the city's Leo Catholic High School Choir and a musician from Peru, according to the event's program. There was also a discussion featuring a former teacher of the pope as well as a high school classmate and fellow Augustinian. The event also celebrated the mixing of Catholicism and baseball, including a special invitation from the team for Leo to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future White Sox game. Leo, formerly Robert Prevost, was elected May 8, becoming the first American pope in the 2,000-year history of the church. Leo, 69, spent his career serving as an Augustinian missionary and ministering in Peru before taking over the Vatican's powerful office of bishops. He succeeded Pope Francis, who died April 21. 'When I see each and every one of you, when I see how people gather together to celebrate their faith, I discover myself how much hope there is in the world,' Leo said in the video message. The program was followed by a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Blase Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago who was part of the conclave that elected Leo. — Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. World Golf Sunshine Girls Columnists Sunshine Girls
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Is it possible to be gay and Catholic?
Erwin Ottenbreit has come to embrace his sexual identity as a gay man, but doing so forced him to leave his marriage and revisit his relationship with the Catholic Church.
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Toronto should allow sixplexes to bring 'gentle density' to city, council committee says
Toronto has moved one step closer to allowing fiveplexes and sixplexes in neighbourhoods across the city. At its meeting on Thursday, the city's planning and housing committee approved recommendations from city staff to allow multiplexes with five and six dwelling units in detached residential buildings in low-rise neighbourhoods city-wide. A report to the committee said the move would help to bring "gentle density" to residential neighbourhoods in Toronto. Coun. Gord Perks, who represents Parkdale High Park and is committee chair, said the city is trying to add different housing types to neighbourhoods. He said most of the housing stock in Toronto is either single-family dwellings or apartment and condo units. "We're trying to build more of this sort of intermediate type housing," he said. "I think it's very important that we arrange to have a whole array of different housing types in our neighbourhoods. We need places for young families. We need places for people who are getting their first apartment. We need places for seniors who maybe can't maintain a big place all by themselves and want to stay in the same neighbourhood in a smaller unit. It's very important for the health of our neighbourhoods that we have a variety of housing types." The sixplexes would not be allowed in semi-detached houses or townhouses. A large group of Torontonians turned up to express their views at the committee meeting. Many said they were in favour of the changes, but some said the changes would be too much too fast. Last September, council decided to permit multiplex housing across the city. In February in Ward 23 as part of a pilot project, staff studied the potential of permitting low-rise multiplexes with up to six dwelling units and with heights of up to four storeys. As part of the sixplex item, the committee approved a recommendation on the height permissions of multiplex buildings. The committee will recommend to council that the city amend its zoning rules to increase the maximum height of buildings containing multiplexes from 10 metres to 10.5 metres. Such a move would allow an increase in basement ceiling heights "to improve liveability and access to daylight" for basement units that will be part of the fiveplexes and sixplexes, city staff said. "Expanding multiplex permissions will increase new low-rise housing options for Torontonians. New residents in low-rise neighbourhoods can help stabilize declining populations, optimize the use of existing infrastructure, and support local retail establishments and services," a report by the chief planner Jason Thorne says. Adopting the recommendations would mark a "significant milestone" in meeting Toronto's commitments under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to allow more low-rise, multi-unit housing development through as-of-right zoning bylaws in its neighbourhoods, according to the report. As-of-right means developers do not need obtain individual zoning approvals in these areas. 'This is about housing equity and liveability' Residents came to the committee meeting with prepared statements. Blair Scorgie, a registered professional planner, urban designer and managing principal of Scourgie Planning, told the committee he supports the recommendations from city staff. "These reforms are a natural and necessary evolution of the city's existing multiplex framework," he said. The recommendations respond "to what residents, planners and housing providers across the city have all recognized — that our low-rise neighbourhoods must evolve if we are to remain equitable, liveable and resilient," he said. "This is about housing equity and liveability. Allowing up to six units in detached buildings will unlock ground-related homes for families, seniors, newcomers and multigenerational households — people who are too often excluded from neighbourhoods built around a single housing type." 'Sixplex in a sea of bungalows sticks out like a sore thumb' Natalie Pihura, a Toronto resident, told the committee that approving sixplexes is not a good idea because residents already have many issues with multiplexes, including parking, privacy, flooding, "neighbourhood fabric deterioration" and school enrolment problems. Residents of Martin Grove Gardens in Etobicoke have gathered 500 signatures on a petition opposed to multiplexes and sixplexes, which Pihura said she will resubmit the petition to council. "A sixplex in a sea of bungalows sticks out like a sore thumb," she said. "Using the as-of-right paintbrush rams the wants of developers who only care about making money over the actual residents who have already invested in their community," she continued. "Right sized housing in the right areas is the right decision." Carolyn Whitzman, a senior housing researcher at the University of Toronto's school of cities, said in an interview after the meeting that the changes being proposed to council are in step with the moves made by city councils across Ontario and Canada. "I think that it's becoming increasingly obvious to city councils across Canada, including Toronto, that there's no way that they are going to be able to meet their housing targets without making fairly radical changes to zoning," Whitzman said. Council will consider the sixplex item at its meeting that begins on June 25.
