Pope St. Leo III

 I received a request to talk about St. Leo the Great today on his feast day. I did a post about Leo the Great a few years ago, and I don't like to repeat, so here is a link to the prior post - Joyful Spirit: Pope St. Leo the Great

I don't like to repeat because there are so many Saints that I have not learned about yet. So today, we will learn about one of St. Leo the Great's namesakes.

Pope St. Leo III was born in Rome to Asupius and Elizabeth. He is believed to have been of Greek origin. He was made cardinal-priest of Santa Susanna by Pope Adrian I. He was also vestiarius, or chief of the pontifical treasury. He was elected to the papacy on December 26, 795, the date of Pope Adrian's funeral, and was consecrated the next day. With the letter he sent to the Frankish King, Charlemagne, informing him of his election, St. Leo also sent the keys of the confession of St. Peter and the standard of the city. Charlemagne was recognized as protector of the Holy See and gifted Pope Leo with treasures that allowed him to be a great benefactor of churches and charitable institutions. On Christmas Day in 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Emporer.

Pope Leo III died in 816 after a reign of over 20 years. His Feast Day is June 12.

Pope Saint Leo III, pray for us.