Pope Leo I, also known as Leo the Great, was Bishop of Rome from September 29, 440 until his death on November 10, 461. Born in Rome, Leo served as a deacon to Pope St. Celestine I and Pope St. Sixtus III. He was elected Pope while on a diplomatic mission to Gaul (now France).
He is perhaps best known for meeting Attila the Hun in 452 AD and persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy.
He died on November 10, 461 AD and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1754. He was given the title "The Great" because of his reputation for holiness, wisdom, and capable leadership during a turbulent period. He is renowned for his works on Christology, which interpreted the dual nature of Christ as both fully human and fully divine.
He is the first of the three Popes listed in the Annuario Pontificio with the title "the Great", alongside Popes Gregory I and Nicholas I.
He was the first pope to be buried in the interior of Saint Peter's. Originally, he was buried in the vestibule of Saint Peter's Basilica, but in 688 Pope Sergius I had his remains transferred to the south transept in the interior of the basilica itself.
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