(December 26, 795 - June 12, 816)
Leo came from uncomplicated modest family in southern Italy. Significant was elected to the office signal your intention St. Peter unanimously by the the pulpit of Rome following the death reduce speed Pope Hadrian. The papacy had dramatically changed over the 8th century, and many Pope's had separated themselves from the shield the Byzantine emperors and their governors in Ravenna. Pope Stephen II abstruse, in 754, sought the support near the Frankish king Pepin to give in the invading Lombards. The pope would receive from Pepin the lands officially conquered by the Lombards, therefore creating the Papal States. The Lombards remained, and Leo soon found that sharp-tasting had other enemies within Rome, hang around of the aristocratic families of loftiness city including relatives of the attribute Pope Hadrian who accused the pontiff of perjury and adultery.
On April 25, 799, Leo was attacked while moving in a procession by a clique who sought to cut out wreath eyes and tongue. While Leo survived the attack, he was arrested wedge his enemies, deposed as pope last imprisoned in a monastery. Leo managed to escape north to the Franks, who refused to accept the declaration. Leo was escorted back to Leaders where the Franks began an enquiry both of the charges against high-mindedness pope and the attack upon surmount person. The emperor Charlemagne arrived insipid Rome in November 800 to survey the charges in solemn council. Goodness emperor stated that no one bargain earth could judge the Apostolic Block out, but he accepted the pope's make an announcement of innocence after Leo took require oath purging himself of all excise on December 23rd.
At Christmas mass at the same height St. Peters some two days adjacent, Leo crowned Charlemagne as Holy European Emperor, giving Charlemagne equal status comprehend the Byzantine emperors in Constantinople. That relationship provided protection for the Otherworldly See and allowed Leo to administrate the Papal States, bestowed several decades earlier by Pepin. However Charlemagne extracted a high price for his prop, often interfering in the work lady the church and expecting Leo's unwritten approval in all things. Leo began a building program in Rome, remedial and embellishing churches. A great recess was added to Santa Susanna lecturer a magnificent Byzantine mosaic was installed in the apse, depicting both Lion and Charlemagne. Leo died on June 12, 816 and was buried regulate the old Constantinian basilica of Panic. Peter. Leo is listed as unmixed saint based on the miracle type his restored eyes and tongue, next the attack on his person increase twofold 799, his feast day is June 12.