Pope Leo VI (880 – 12 February 929) was the bishop of Rome and nominal ruler of the Papal States for just over seven months, from June 928 to his death. His pontificate occurred during the period known as the Saeculum obscurum.
Leo VI was born into a Roman family,[1] and his father was Christophorus, who had been primicerius under Pope John VIII around the year 876. Tradition has it that he was a member of the Sanguini family.[2] Before his pontificate, Leo served as the cardinal-priest of Santa Susanna.[3]
Pontificateedit
Leo was elected pope around June 928, during a period of anarchy.[3] He was chosen by the senatrixMarozia, who had gained control of Rome via the domination of her husband Guy, Margrave of Tuscany, and who had ordered the imprisonment and death of Leo’s predecessor, John X.[4]
During his brief pontificate, Leo confirmed the decisions of the Synod of Spalato.[3] He completed his predecessor’s investigations into the ecclesiastical situation in Dalmatia, and proceeded to give the pallium to Archbishop John of Salona, and ordered all the bishops of Dalmatia to obey him. He also ordered the bishop of Nona and others to limit themselves to the extent of their dioceses.[5] Leo then banned castrati from marrying.[6] He also issued an appeal for help against the Arab raiders who were threatening Rome, stating that:
”Whoever died faithful in this struggle will not see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom.”[7]
”Through the virtue of Peter, Leo the sixth was taken and received, he was preserved for seven months and five days, and like his predecessors, he joined the company of the prophets.”[3]
Mann, Horace K., The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages, Vol. IV: The Popes in the Days of Feudal Anarchy, 891-999 (1910)
Entry on Leo VI in the Catholic Encyclopedia
^Platina, Bartolomeo (1479), The Lives of the Popes From The Time Of Our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII, vol. I, London: Griffith Farran & Co., p. 247, retrieved 2013-04-25
pope, february, bishop, rome, nominal, ruler, papal, states, just, over, seven, months, from, june, death, pontificate, occurred, during, period, known, saeculum, obscurum, popeleo, vibishop, romechurchcatholic, churchpapacy, beganjune, 928papacy, endedfebruar. Pope Leo VI 880 12 February 929 was the bishop of Rome and nominal ruler of the Papal States for just over seven months from June 928 to his death His pontificate occurred during the period known as the Saeculum obscurum PopeLeo VIBishop of RomeChurchCatholic ChurchPapacy beganJune 928Papacy endedFebruary 929PredecessorJohn XSuccessorStephen VIIPersonal detailsBornRome Papal StatesDiedFebruary 929Rome Papal StatesPrevious post s Cardinal Priest of Santa Susanna 916 928 Other popes named Leo Contents 1 Family and early career 2 Pontificate 3 References 4 External linksFamily and early career editLeo VI was born into a Roman family 1 and his father was Christophorus who had been primicerius under Pope John VIII around the year 876 Tradition has it that he was a member of the Sanguini family 2 Before his pontificate Leo served as the cardinal priest of Santa Susanna 3 Pontificate editLeo was elected pope around June 928 during a period of anarchy 3 He was chosen by the senatrix Marozia who had gained control of Rome via the domination of her husband Guy Margrave of Tuscany and who had ordered the imprisonment and death of Leo s predecessor John X 4 During his brief pontificate Leo confirmed the decisions of the Synod of Spalato 3 He completed his predecessor s investigations into the ecclesiastical situation in Dalmatia and proceeded to give the pallium to Archbishop John of Salona and ordered all the bishops of Dalmatia to obey him He also ordered the bishop of Nona and others to limit themselves to the extent of their dioceses 5 Leo then banned castrati from marrying 6 He also issued an appeal for help against the Arab raiders who were threatening Rome stating that Whoever died faithful in this struggle will not see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom 7 The chronicler Flodoard said of him Through the virtue of Peter Leo the sixth was taken and received he was preserved for seven months and five days and like his predecessors he joined the company of the prophets 3 Leo died in February 929 and was succeeded by Stephen VII He was buried at St Peter s Basilica 3 References editMann Horace K The Lives of the Popes in the Early Middle Ages Vol IV The Popes in the Days of Feudal Anarchy 891 999 1910 Entry on Leo VI in the Catholic Encyclopedia Platina Bartolomeo 1479 The Lives of the Popes From The Time Of Our Saviour Jesus Christ to the Accession of Gregory VII vol I London Griffith Farran amp Co p 247 retrieved 2013 04 25 Georgina Masson The Companion Guide to Rome 1980 page 177 a b c d e Mann page 188 Mann pgs 163 164 Mann page 168 Medical problems of performing artists Volume 13 1998 page 151 Pierre Riche The Carolingians A Family Who Forged Europe 1993 page 311External links editCatholic Forum Leo VI New Catholic Dictionary Leo VICatholic Church titlesPreceded byJohn X Pope928 929 Succeeded byStephen VII Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pope Leo VI amp oldid 1189654671, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
