Pope Saint Leo I, famously known as Leo the Great, remains a pivotal figure in the history of the Catholic Church, his early life shrouded in mystery. Prior to his papacy in 440 AD, he actively contested Pelagianism as a deacon, advocating the essential role of grace in salvation. His papal tenure was marked by strong, clear teachings on the nature of Christ, culminating in the influential Tome of St. Leo, which underpinned the Council of Chalcedon’s declaration of Christ’s dual nature—both fully divine and fully human.
Amid the fifth century’s chaos, as barbarian hordes threatened the crumbling Roman Empire, Leo the Great emerged as a beacon of leadership, addressing both the spiritual and temporal needs of his people. His diplomatic prowess is underscored by his successful negotiation with Attila the Hun, convincing him to spare Rome from destruction in 452, and later negotiating with the Vandals in 455.
Leo’s contributions solidified the Papacy’s role and underlined the divine foundations of the ministry through the scriptural examination of Peter’s apostolic prominence. Beyond his seminal Tome, he left behind a legacy of 143 letters and 96 sermons that deeply reflect the liturgical seasons. His death in 461 marked the end of an era, but his teachings continue to resonate, earning him the title of Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV and cementing his status as a venerated Western Father of the Church.
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Actually, there are three popes known as “Great” that are listed in the Annuario Pontificio: Pope St. Leo I (reigned 440–61); Pope St. Gregory I (590–604); and Pope St. Nicholas I (858–67).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_popes#1st_millennium
My hope, which I think is shared by many, is that a fourth will be acknowledged: Pope St. John Paul II the Great.
Yes I do that will happen in my lifetime yet…
I fully agree…grandiosity of Pope St. John Paul II is indeed one of the most relevant figures of the Catholic Cristiniaty in modern times and not only.
Comment: I appreciate.
Just wondering is there no Saint for November 8, 2016?
Pope Saint Leo the Great, pray for us!
Fascinating read…he persuaded Atilla the Hunn not to massacre and looked kind of like Christopher Lee…cool
Pope Saint Leo I, pray for our Church.
Pope Saint Leo I, thank you for saving Rome! Please pray for us and the safety of your Church.
Is good to be Holy and great for Christianity.
God our Father,
you will never allow the powers of hell
to prevail against your Church,
founded on the rock of the apostle Peter.
Let the prayers of Pope Leo the Great
keep us faithful to your truth
and secure in your peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
POPE. SAINT. LEO,,,,,,,WHEN,,,YOU,,,COME,,TO,,FIND,,,A,,,,,,,POPE,,,,,,AND,,,,,A,,,SAINT,,,WHO,,,PULLS,,,YOU,,,INTO
HIS. HEART. YOU,,,HAVE,,,BEEN,,,,BLESSED!!!!!!!A. BLESSING,,,FOR,,ALL,,OF,,,YOUR,,,LIFE !!!!!!
Saint Leo the Great, pray for us.
Protect Archbishop Vigano as he continues to wrestle the Truth out of the Vatican as ‘the fiction continues’. Bring peace and protection to Mr. James Grein whose monumental role in the removal of sodomistic T.E. McCarrick from Church hierarchy was entirely glossed over, such a slap in the face to himself and all other victims of the widespread abuse scandal, not just destoying the lives of children emotionally spiritually psychologically and physically, but also the prey of teenage youth and seminarians. Good wholesome faithful students were removed or denied advancement while immoral impious men were promoted and placed in positions of power to continue their predation. Horrific and nauseating. Saint Leo, brace these few brave clergy and their supporters in their heroic attempt to restore the credibility of the Catholic Church hierarchy by their virtue, to replace the sin and heresy with light in the darkness. Amen.
Pope St John Paul II the Great……has a ring to it.
Henceforth I will call him that!
Pope saint Leo the great, pray for us amen