On 18 August, card Burke stated: Leo takes the time to appoint people capable of assisting him in his main responsibilities. The office of pope is impossible for those without the right associates. The very choice of a name that harks back to Leo the Great and Leo XIII makes clear his desire to be an authentic ‘father of fathers’, a true shepherd of the universal Church.

Checchio might be the perfect replacement for Archbishop Gregory Aymond, who is alleged to have abused multiple seminarians while also covering up the abuse of others at Notre Dame Seminary.

Anyone who were to read Cassabon’s entire affidavit would conclude that Checchio, having been informed of Park’s homosexual predatory behavior, participated in covering up the credible, substantiated allegations against Park along with Dolan, Harman, and Father John McDonald, Gorgia’s faculty advisor. The failure of these churchmen to investigate the serious allegations against Park, substantiated by Cassabon, Curtis Weisenburger, and other seminarians, is very similar to how Pennsylvania State University officials, Tim Curley, Gary Schultz, and Graham Spanier covered up the sex abuse allegations they received from Joe Paterno regarding Jerry Sandusky.