Feast Day - November 10
Italian nobility. Strong student,
especially in scripture and theology. Priest. Eloquent writer and homilist.
Pope from 440 to 461 during the time of
the invasion of Attila the Hun. When Attila marched on Rome, Leo went out to meet him and
pleaded for leave. As Leo spoke, Attila saw the vision of a man in priestly robes,
carrying a bare sword, and threatening to kill the invader if he did not obey Pope Leo. As
Leo had a great devotion to Saint Peter, it is generally believed the first pope was the
visionary opponent to the Huns. When Genseric invaded Rome, Leo's sanctity and eloquence
saved the city again.
Called the Council of Chalcedon to
condemn heresies of the day. Fought Nestorianism, Monophysitism, Manichaeism, and
Pelagianism. Built churches. Wrote letters and sermons encouraging and teaching his flock,
many of which survive today; it is for these writings that Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of
the Church in 1574.
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