Introduction

The relationship of Rome to the rest of the civilized world was reinvented by Roman Christians in the fourth and fifth centuries as the Roman imperial ideal gave way to a Christian vision. Pope Leo I played an important role in this development. Bishop of Rome from 400–461, Leo articulated a Christian vision of the special status of Rome in the worldwide Church and of the special identity of the city of Rome in relation to its past that was to have far-reaching influence. He took major strides in advancing the development of the role of Rome in the worldwide Church. Leo upheld and extended the growing understanding of the unique role of the pope, seeing this as a natural expression of his role as Vicar of Peter. His actions against various heresies throughout the empire show that he understood his pastoral responsibility to be universal and immediate. His time in office was spent vigourously pursuing this universal ideal, engaging not only in doctrinal disputes but also entering the political realm to protect Rome from the onslaughts of the Huns and the Vandals. These efforts were accompanied by a vision of the Church as rightful heir of the glory of Rome. For him, God had prepared the world for the Church through the Roman Empire, and the Church was duty bound to take up whatever was good in this development.

Background to Leo's Papacy

Hard historical data is difficult to come by on Leo's early years. The Liber Pontificalis, a medieval text of a much later date whose historical facts should be taken with a grain of salt, merely records that he was Tuscan and that his father's name was Quintianus. Leo, however, refers to Rome as his homeland. Thus, two possibilities present themselves: either Leo was born in Rome from Tuscan parents or he was born in Tuscany yet called Rome his homeland because he was convinced that he was born to find his way to the Chair of Peter. In any case, the town of Volterra, in modern-day Tuscany, claims him as a native son.

He seems to have been born at the end of the fourth century. If he grew up in Rome, he lived through the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410.