Leo III

Who they were

Leo, a Roman, was unanimously elected pope on 26 December 795. With treasure sent by Charlemagne he became a great benefactor of Rome's churches and charitable houses.

Relatives of his predecessor plotted against him and attacked him. He crowned Charlemagne emperor. He died in 816 and was buried in St Peter's.

The miracles

The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.

Why that counted as sanctity

A pope who was a great benefactor of the poor of Rome.

Connected on this site

• Bernard of Vienne Saint
  “In 810 he was chosen Archbishop of Vienne, accepting only at the command of Pope Leo III and Charlemagne, and was known for his piety and learning.” — this site's research
• Gregory II Saint
  “His defiance of Emperor Leo III the Isaurian as a result of the iconoclastic controversy in the Eastern Empire prepared the way for a long series of revolts, schisms, and civil wars that eventually led to the establishment of the temporal power of the popes.” — Wikipedia
• Irene of Athens Saint
  “Pope Leo III—already seeking to break links with the Byzantine East—used Irene's alleged unprecedented status as a female ruler of the Roman Empire to proclaim Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day of 800 under the pretext that a woman could not rule solely and thus the Roman throne was actually vacant.” — Wikipedia
• Charlemagne Blessed
  “In 800, Charlemagne was crowned emperor in Rome by Pope Leo III.” — Wikipedia