Leo IX, Saint

Leo IX, Saint, pope

Leo IX, Saint, 1002–54, pope (1049–54), a German named Bruno of Toul, b. Alsace; successor of Damasus II. A relative of Holy Roman Emperor Henry III, he was educated at Toul and was made bishop there in 1027. Leo traveled widely, vigorously combating clerical incontinence and simony; his pontificate marks the beginning of papal reform in the 11th cent. The heresy of Berengar of Tours concerning the Real Presence also occupied the attention of the pope. St. Leo mediated questions presented by England, France, and Hungary. He added to the papal lands in Italy through an exchange with Emperor Henry III. He fought the Normans of S Italy, but was defeated (1053) at Civitella. The bitter feeling between East and West brought an attack (1053) on the pope by Michael Cerularius, the patriarch of Constantinople. This culminated in the excommunication of Michael and those in his communion by the papal legates (1054). He was succeeded by Victor II. Feast: Apr. 19.

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Leo IX, Saint

 orig. Bruno, count von Egisheim und Dagsburg

(born 1002, Egisheim, Alsace, Upper Lorraine—died April 19, 1054, Rome; feast day April 19) Pope (1049–54). He was consecrated bishop of Toul in 1027. He was named pope by Emperor Henry III but insisted on election by the clergy and people of Rome. His efforts to strengthen the papacy and eradicate clerical marriage and simony laid the foundation for the Gregorian reform movement. His assertion of papal primacy and his military campaign against the Normans in Sicily (1053) alienated the Eastern church. His representatives excommunicated the patriarch of Constantinople. Though Leo had already died, their act triggered the Schism of 1054.