Pope Leo I Trivia Quiz

Answer: 21

He reigned for 21 years, from 440-461. His reign ended upon his death on November 10, 461. No one knows his exact age as his birth date is unknown.

Answer: Sixtus III

Pope Sixtus III ruled over the Roman Catholic church from 432-440 and his feast is kept on March 28th. He reigned during the Nestorian and Pelagian controversies, and was accused of being to lenient on the so-called heretics. During his time as pope, he restored the Basilica of Liberius, now known as St. Mary Major, as well as enlarging the Basilica of St. Lawrence-Without-the-Walls. Celestine I reigned from 422-432, Pope Urban IV reigned from 1261-1264, and Pope Urban VI reigned from 1378-1389.

Answer: Doctor of the Church

From the middle ages, there were four gentlemen who became doctors of the church very early on: Pope St. Gregory I, Pope St. Ambrose, Pope St. Jerome and St. Augustine. Although Pope Leo was alive during this time period, he did not receive this title until 1754 from Pope Benedict XIV.

Other men who have received this title - which means theologian and teacher - include for example St. Bonaventure, St. Albert the Great, and St. John of Damascus.

Answer: Attila the Hun

This is a wonderful story! Attila the Hun came all the way up to the River Mincio and was ready to take Rome. Pope Leo the Great came out to meet him, talked to him and persuaded him not to fight. Attila listened, agreed, and went home without ever trying to take Rome.

Some versions of the story include a vision that Attila the Hun had of a man in priestly robes who told him that he would die if he did not obey Pope Leo and leave Italy. It is often believed that that was St. Peter himself. With or without a vision though, Pope Leo manage to prevent a battle, in which many lives would have been lost.

Answer: The Vandals

The Vandals were a Germanic tribe who originated in North Germany (Jutland, now in Denmark), migrated to the Danube river and settled for a while in the valley of the Oder River. They began their attacks on the Roman Empire in the in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, and even Pope Leo could not stop them from "vandalising" Rome.

He did however, persuade them not to burn the city, and to not harm the Romans.

Answer: The Tome of Leo

This was actually a letter written by him to St. Flavian, the Patriarch of Byzantium (Constantinople) who was martyred, about the heresy of Eutyches. It was later recognized by the Council of Chalcedon as a statement of orthodox Christology in 451. It describes how Jesus Christ is one person of the divine Trinity with two distinct natures that are permanently united.

Answer: lion

A lion is often associated with strength, which is perfect for this brave and courageous pope.

Answer: November 10

This is day it is held on for the Roman Catholic and those Anglican churches that celebrate it. It was originally April 11, but was to moved to November 10 (to avoid clashing with Holy Week or Easter). In the Eastern orthodox churches, it is held on February 18.

Answer: Raphael Sanzio

Raphael was born in 1483, and is one of the most recognisable painters of the Italian Renaissance. The picture of Pope Leo the great with Attila the Hun depicts St. Peter and St. Paul there with Pope Leo to help push back Attila, and according to this version of the story, it was the vision of the two of them that stopped Attila the Huns from invading Rome.

This fresco can be found in the room of Heliodorus in the Vatican palace.

Answer: St. Hilarius

Pope St. Hilarius reigned over the Catholic church from 461 to 468, and had the same values as Pope Leo the Great. He continued his work. I hope you enjoyed this quiz!