Pope St. Leo the Great – Herrera

This is a  Spanish seventeenth-century portrait of Leo I, crowned with papal tiara, holding cross and key, and gazing intently while giving his blessing. The fifth-century papacy of Leo the Great was one of the most important, promoting the dignity of the papacy and political peace. Pope Leo used firm and benevolent policy to negotiate cooperation between the Western and Eastern parts of the Roman Empire, as well as with Huns and Vandals, notably going out to meet Attila as the Hun marched toward Rome. Because of his remarkable greatness at upholding the Faith in word and deed, he was made a Doctor of the Church in 1754. Artwork by F. Herrera.