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Name:
Pope Leo IV
Preceded by: Sergius II (844 - 847)
Succeeded by: Benedict III (855 - 858)
Roman Catholic Pope #104
Dates:
Born: ? (Rome, Italy)
Died: April 17, 858
Pope: April 10, 847 - July 10, 855 (8 years)
Unanimously Elected: January 27, 847
Biography:
Pope Leo IV was embattled politically on both sides. Like his predecessor, Pope Sergius II,
he was under pressure from king Lothair to be submissive to the political leadership in the
north - but also like Sergius, Leo was determined to assert papal independence, starting
immediately by not seeking Lothair's approval to be consecrated pope.
Part of the reason for this may have been a lack of time, not just the desire for independence from political leaders. Under the reign of Sergius II, Muslim forces had invaded Italy and even gone so far as to plunder Ostia, Rome's port city, something everyone interpreted as a sign of God's displeasure with the way things were being run. Leo IV went to great lengths to protect Rome from further incursions, building a 40-foot high wall surrounding St. Peter's and much of the Vatican, along with other fortifications and defenses for the city generally. The fortifications immeidately around the Vatican came to be known as the "Leonine City."
Leo IV was not simply interested in defense measures, though. He organized a large military alliance among various Greek and Italian cities, launching an attack upon the Muslims as they gathered outside of Ostia in preparation for an attack on Rome. He was also on the attack against Lothair, for example executing three imperial agents for the murder of a papal representative.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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