Saint Leo III

Saint Leo III pope (795-816), a Roman; successor of Adrian I. He was attacked about the face and eyes by members of Adrian's family, who hoped to render him unfit for the papacy. Leo recovered and fled (799) to Charlemagne's protection at Paderborn. In 800, Charlemagne went to Rome and conducted a trial during which Leo successfully defended himself against charges of misconduct made by his enemies. On Christmas day, 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne emperor, the event that traditionally marks the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire. Leo's successor, Stephen IV, crowned Charlemagne's son, Louis the Pious, and thus was established the papal claim to the right to consecrate the emperor. In the East-West controversy over the Procession of the Holy Spirit, Leo declared that the Filioque of the creed was dogmatically necessary but liturgically dispensable, and he recommended its omission in the name of East-West unity. Leo did much to beautify Christian Rome. He was canonized in 1673. Feast: June 12.

Leo III, Saint (750–816) Pope (795–816). With the help of Charlemagne, Leo imposed his rule on Rome, and crowned Charlemagne as Emperor on Christmas Day, 800. This historically important act strengthened papal authority in Rome, and led to recognition of the Pope and Emperor as religious and secular leaders of Western Christendom.

Leo III, St (d. 816), Pope from 795. After being attacked in Rome in 799, Leo fled to Charlemagne, who provided him with an escort. When Charlemagne came to Rome, the Pope crowned him Holy Roman Emperor (800). At Charlemagne's instigation he took strong measures against the Adoptianist heresy. He intervened in the differences between the Abps. of Canterbury and the Anglo-Saxon kings, and in the E. he encouraged the monks in their opposition to the Emp. Constantine VI. Feast day, 12 Jun.