Much uncertainty surrounds the biography of this 7th-century pope. Born around 611 in Calabria or Sicily, the future Leo II studied at the Scola Cantorum in Rome and remained a skilled singer throughout his life, even as pope.
We are publishing a summer series on the 13 popes who bore the name Leo before the current pope. The second episode is about St. Leo II (611-683).
This scholar, who was fluent in Greek and Latin, was already around 70 years old when he was elected pope in 681. He was the successor to Pope Agatho, a Greek monk from Sicily whom some sources credit with an unusually long life. In fact, tradition says he died at the age of 103 or 104.
Against the backdrop of the Eastern Roman Empire's turbulent rule over much of Italy, it took 18 months for Leo II's election to be validated by Emperor Constantine IV.
Ending a theological controversy
In 680-681, the Byzantine emperor convened the Third Council of Constantinople to counter Monothelitism. This Christian heresy, developed in the context of the Persian and Arab invasions, theorized that Christ's will was a single divine-human will.
The controversy surrounding this theological question caused numerous conflicts, some of them violent. They even led to the overthrow and death of Pope Martin I in exile in Crimea in 655. The debate culminated in 681 with the proclamation of a new dogma defining Christ as having two wills, not opposed to each other, but with a human will subordinate to the divine will.
After many months of tension between Rome and Constantinople, this theological compromise was finally considered satisfactory by Leo II. He agreed, at the request of Constantine IV, to issue an explicit condemnation of Pope Honorius I, who had reigned from 625 to 638 and had defended Monotheletism.
This is therefore a rare case in the history of the Church: Pope Honorius I, recognized as fully legitimate in the apostolic succession, was considered a heretic by his indirect successor. This agreement allowed Leo II to obtain confirmation of his election by the emperor and to be formally enthroned.
A short but significant pontificate
He died shortly afterwards, on July 3, 683, after a short pontificate that nevertheless enabled him to strengthen the political foundation of the papacy. In particular, he obtained a reduction in the taxes owed by Sicily and Calabria to the emperor. He also achieved recognition of the hierarchical superiority of the bishop of Rome over the exarch of Ravenna, the magistrate delegated by the emperor to administer Italy.
Leo II was a pope who was appreciated by the clergy of Rome and by the people, showing particular concern for the poor.
The Catholic Church celebrates Pope Leo II, whom it recognizes as a saint, on July 3 in the Roman calendar. However, his liturgical memory is generally overshadowed by that of the apostle St. Thomas, celebrated on the same day.
Read Episode 1, on Leo I the Great, here.
