00:00Today, November 10th, the Church celebrates Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church,
00:08one of the greatest pastors of Rome and defenders of the Tretian faith.
00:12On the same day, other saints are also honored, such as Saint Trifon, Saint Orestes and Saint Justus.
00:20But it is Leo the Great who dominates this day by the magnitude of his spiritual and historical legacy.
00:26Born around the year 400 in Tuscany, Leo grew up in a troubled period.
00:33The Western Roman Empire is faltering, barbarian invasions are multiplying, and heresies are dividing the Church.
00:42From a very early age, he displayed brilliant intelligence and a profound sense of faith.
00:47He was ordained a deacon in Rome, where he distinguished himself for his wisdom, diplomacy, and ability to reconcile souls.
00:56In 440, upon the death of Pope Sixtus III, Leo was elected Bishop of Rome.
01:03His pontificate lasted 21 years.
01:06This is a time when the Church has to face many crises, theological, political and moral.
01:13Léon remained unwavering.
01:15His most famous work is undoubtedly his historic encounter with Attila, the king of some.
01:22In 452, as Attila was preparing to march on Rome, Leo dared to go and meet him.
01:30Without weapons, without an army, simply armed with his cross and his faith, he begs him to spare the city.
01:37Against all odds, Attila retreats.
01:42On that day, the papacy emerged stronger.
01:45She appears as the spiritual, moral, and even political guardian of the waning Roman world.
01:52But Leo was not only a courageous diplomat.
01:56He was above all a profound theologian.
01:58His famous Thomas Flavien, or Dogmatic Letter to Flavien, written in 449, clearly sets forth the doctrine of the Catholic faith.
02:10Christ is one person in two natures, fully God and fully man.
02:16This text would become a reference for the Council of Chalcedon and a cornerstone of Christian theology.
02:23During his pontificate, Leo strengthened the liturgy and supported charity towards the poor.
02:30organizes the lives of priests and tirelessly defends the unity of the Church.
02:36He forcefully proclaims the primacy of the See of Rome, founded not on political power,
02:42but on the spiritual mission entrusted to Saint Peter.
02:46He died on November 10, 461, leaving behind an immense legacy.
02:53His words, full of gentleness and authority, still resonate.
02:58Recognize, O Christian, your dignity, and having become a partaker of the divine nature, do not return to your former life.
03:08Canonized at a very young age, Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1754.
03:13and he remains for popes of all times a model of courage, clarity and profound faith.
03:23Prayer to Saint Leo the Great
03:24Lord God,
03:28You who gave to your Church the blessed Pope Leo the Great to guide it with his wisdom and defend it with his word,
03:35grant us, through his intercession, to keep the true faith which he so courageously proclaimed.
03:42Saint Leo, intrepid pastor,
03:44You who were not afraid to confront the powerful to save your people,
03:49Help us to bear witness to the truth with love and steadfastness.
03:54Grant us the courage to speak when silence would be betrayal.
03:58the wisdom to discern God's will,
04:01and the peace of heart that comes from trusting in Him.
04:05Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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