Who was Leo XIII, the Pope who fought for the poor and lived far from luxuries
Leo XIII was the 256th pontiff and the most recent to share the same name as the man appointed to serve as the new Pope on Thursday evening.
On Thursday, May 8, the Vatican announced that Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born cardinal, has been elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV. His choice carries deep historical significance, as 13 previous popes have also adopted the name Leo, each leaving a distinct mark on the Catholic Church.
Leo XIII: the “Rosary Pope”
The most recent predecessor to bear the name was Pope Leo XIII, who led the Church from February 20 1878 to July 20 1903. His papacy set the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching, addressing the challenges of industrialization and economic inequality of the day.
By selecting the name Leo XIV, Pope Prevost may be signaling a commitment to strength, reform, and engagement with contemporary social issues—values historically associated with Leo V. His decision has already sparked discussions about the direction he may take the Church in the coming years.
His diplomatic efforts were notable as well. He worked to reconcile the Church with governments in France, Russia, Germany, and Great Britain, fostering a more cooperative relationship between the Vatican and secular authorities.
Now, more than 120 years later, Pope Leo XIV has revived this historic name. His choice may signal a commitment to social justice, intellectual leadership, and engagement with contemporary global challenges, much like his predecessor.
Who was Pope Leo XIII?
Born on 2 March 1810 in the Lazio region, Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci was the sixth of seven children. He was ordained a priest on 31 December 1837 and was elected as Pope Leo XIII in February 1878 after a three-day conclave in which he gained 44 out of 61 votes.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Leo XIII lived modestly, distancing himself from the luxuries often associated with the papacy. He prioritized education and intellectual development, working to strengthen the theological foundations of the clergy.
He would not only become one of the most influential pontiffs of the modern era but also one of the longest-serving.
The first Pope on film
Pope Leo XIII holds another unique historical distinction—he was the earliest-born person ever recorded on photographic film.
Born in 1810, he was filmed in 1896, making him the first pope to appear on camera. The color footage, captured in the Vatican gardens, provides a rare glimpse into the life of a 19th-century pontiff.
He was also one of the oldest living pontiffs, living to the grand old age of 93 years and 140 days. He died of pneumonia in Rome’s Apostolic Palace on July 20, 1903 and aid to rest at the ancient Basilica of Saint John Lateran in late 1924.
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