Pope Saint Leo IV

Life story

Leo IV was a Roman, the son of Radoald, raised and educated at the monastery of St. Martin near St. Peter's. Pope Gregory IV made him a subdeacon, and Pope Sergius II made him cardinal-priest of the church of the Quatuor Coronati. In 846 Saracen raiders attacked Rome and damaged many churches, including St. Peter's.

After Sergius II died, Leo was elected and consecrated on 10 April 847. He was consecrated without waiting for the emperor's consent, because the people feared for the city's safety after the raid. He repaired the city walls, rebuilt fifteen large towers, and was the first to enclose the Vatican hill with a wall, using imperial funds and contributions from the cities and farming colonies of the Roman duchy. The work took four years, was finished in 852 and was blessed by the pope; the enclosed district was called the Leonine City.

In 849 a Saracen fleet was destroyed off Ostia by the combined fleets of Rome, Naples, Amalfi and Gaeta, helped by a storm. Leo also repaired damaged churches, including St. Martin's, the Quatuor Coronati and St. Peter's. He died on 17 July 855 and was buried in St. Peter's; Benedict III succeeded him.

Works and witness

• Consecrated on 10 April 847
• Repaired Rome's walls and rebuilt fifteen towers
• Had a wall built around the Vatican hill, finished and blessed in 852 (the Leonine City)
• Allied navies destroyed a Saracen fleet off Ostia in 849
• Repaired churches damaged in the 846 raid

Saints from the same country

Saint Agnes, Saint Lawrence, Saint Cecilia, Saint Sebastian

References

• New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia (1910), 'Pope Saint Leo IV', newadvent.org/cathen/09159a.htm

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.