Pope and Doctor · d. 461
Spirituality: Firm teaching of the faith; courage before the powers of the world.
Reflection: Leo became pope in 440 as the Western Empire was crumbling. His letter
known as the Tome explained how Christ is one Person in two natures, and the
bishops at the Council of Chalcedon cried out that Peter had spoken through Leo. In
452 he went out to meet Attila the Hun and persuaded him to turn back from Rome; in
455 he persuaded the Vandals to spare the city from burning and slaughter. His
Christmas sermons still call to us: “Christian, remember your dignity.” Leo shows the
steadying strength of the Chair of Peter.