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Saint Leo the Great, also known as Pope Saint Leo I, was born into a Roman aristocratic family. His response to the call of the Lord transformed him into one of the greatest popes of Christian history. In fact, he was the first pope to be given the title "the Great."
Pope Leo I (c. 400 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great, [1] was Bishop of Rome [2] from 29 September 440 until his death. Leo was a Roman aristocrat, and was the first pope to have been called "the Great".
St. Leo resolutely set out, followed by some cardinals and the principal members of the Roman clergy. Clothed in the pontifical insignia, on a humble mount, he appeared before Attila and demanded an end of the war of pillage and devastation.
Leo’s pontificate was marked by a number of firsts: He was the first Pope named Leo, and the first Pope to be remembered as “the Great” (later, Gregory I and Nicholas I would also be accorded the honour). Leo is also the first Pope whose sermons have come down to us.
According to the "Liber Pontificalis" (ed. Mommsen, I, 101 sqq., ed. Duchesne, I, 238 sqq.), Leo was a native of Tuscany and his father's name was Quintianus. Our earliest certain historical information about Leo reveals him a deacon of the Roman Church under Pope Celestine I (422-32).
Saint Leo I, pope from 440 to 461, master exponent of papal supremacy. His pontificate was devoted to safeguarding orthodoxy and to securing the unity of the Western church under papal supremacy. Learn more about his life, works, and legacy with this article.
Pope Leo I (c. 400 – 10 November 461), also known as Saint Leo the Great, reigned from 29 September 440 to his death in 461.
