Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great. Born approximately in the year 400 AD in Tuscany (Italy), he was from an aristocratic family. By the year 431, he was a deacon and sufficiently well known outside of Rome for his wisdom and his ability to settle disputes. In fact, it was while he was absent from Rome and settling disputes in the territory of Gaul (France) that Pope Sixtus III died (11 August 440) and on 29 September of that same year, Leo was unanimously elected to succeed Sixtus III as Bishop of Rome.
Pope Leo was deeply dedicated to serving the Church. He saw himself as privileged to sit in the Chair of Saint Peter, as the servant of the servants of God. Over time, Leo became known as one of the best administrative popes of the ancient Church. But, he was so much more. During his reign, he tirelessly fought to preserve the unity of the Church and its faith; and to ensure the safety of his people against invasions from armies which sought to destroy the Church and the Christian influence on culture which she brought to bear.
Pope Leo I focused his pontificate on four main areas. He continuously worked to oppose and root out numerous heresies which were threatening the Western Church. Among them were Pelagianism, which involved denying Original Sin and failing to understand the necessity of God's grace for salvation. At the foundation of the Pelagian error was the mistaken notion that we can perfect ourselves without God's grace and assistance.
The other major heresy threatening the Church was Manichaeism. This heresy denied the goodness of the human body, creation, and even matter itself. It failed to understand the full implications of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. In fact, it denigrated the human body. In short, it viewed everything material as evil. That denies the very teaching of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. It also rejects the very heart of the Gospel message.
During this same period, some Eastern Christians began questioning the teaching of the Church concerning the relationship between Jesus' humanity and his divinity, and how to articulate this mystery of the Christian faith. In response, Leo resolved the doctrinal controversy with a letter setting down the Church's official teaching on Jesus Christ as One Person with a human and a divine nature which could not be separated. This profound and theologically astute letter reconciled the disputing parties. It preserved the core teaching concerning Jesus Christ. Finally, it affirmed the fullness of what occurred in the Incarnation, as well as its implications for all men and women who are baptized into Jesus Christ. To this day, Leo's letter is heralded and praised, not only for bringing peace, but for preserving the fullness of Christian truth and doctrine. It helped the whole Church to enter more fully into the heart of the Gospel message of who Jesus is - and who we can become in Him, as we cooperate with grace.
Along with his dynamic faith and outstanding theological wisdom, Pope Leo I was also courageous. He led Rome's defence against Attila the Hun's barbarian invasion on Italy in 452, by taking on the role of peacemaker.
Pope Saint Leo focused heavily on the pastoral care of his people. He inspired and helped to foster charitable work in areas of Rome affected heavily by famine, refugees and poverty. To him, being a Christian was not only about embracing the fullness of the Gospel theologically but living it out in a world filled with hurt, suffering and needs.
Pope Leo I was renowned for his profoundly spiritual sermons. With his words, Leo could reach the everyday needs and interests of his people. It was his reputation as an instrument of the call to holiness, well-versed in Scripture and ecclesiastical awareness that helped him become one of the greatest popes in the history of the Church.
Leo died on November 10, 461. He wished to be buried as close as possible to Saint Peter's tomb. His body was first laid in the entrance of Saint Peter's Basilica but was later moved inside the basilica in 688.
In 1754, Pope Benedict XIV proclaimed Leo I a Doctor of the Church. Pope Leo I faithfully and unequivocally held to the belief that everything he did and said as pope represented Jesus Christ, and Saint Peter. He discharged his office, and vocation, with dynamic faith, great pastoral care and excellence.
Have a great day.
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