Pope Leo I
Pope Leo I (c. 400 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great, was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death.
Leo I | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
Miniature which depicts Leo I, contained in the Menologion of Basil II (c. 1000 AD, Vatican Library) | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Papacy began | 29 September 440 |
| Papacy ended | 10 November 461 |
| Predecessor | Sixtus III |
| Successor | Hilarius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leo c. 400 AD |
| Died | 10 November 461 (aged 60 – 61) Rome, Western Roman Empire |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day |
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| Venerated in | |
| Attributes |
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| Theological work | |
| Era | Post-Nicene |
| Language | Latin |
| Tradition or movement | Chalcedonism |
| Main interests | Christology |
| Notable ideas | Chalcedonian Definition |
| Other popes named Leo | |
Leo was a Roman aristocrat, and was the first pope to have been called "the Great". He is perhaps best known for having met Attila the Hun in 452 and persuaded him to turn back from his invasion of Italy. He is also a Doctor of the Church, most remembered theologically for issuing the Tome of Leo, a document which was a major foundation to the debates of the Council of Chalcedon, the fourth ecumenical council. That meeting dealt primarily with Christology and elucidated the orthodox definition of Christ's being as the hypostatic union of two natures, divine and human, united in one person, "with neither confusion nor division". It was followed by a major schism associated with Monophysitism, Miaphysitism and Dyophysitism. He also contributed significantly to developing ideas of papal authority.