Psst...we'll send a two-fer every so often, to make sure that we get through all the popes by Christmas, and because some don't have much info available. Enjoy!
Pope from June 928 - February 929Died: February 929Give me the scoop on Leo VI.Leo was Roman by birth, and was the son of Pope John VIII’s prime minister, Christopher. Little is known about his life and papacy for certain. Leo was placed in office by Marouzia, the Roman noblewoman basically running the city, after John X’s death. He reigned only seven months, dying in February 929 and being buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
What was he known for?Leo’s chief accomplishment was finishing the organization of the Church in Dalmatia, started previously by John X. A papal bull from Leo VI still exists, mentioning him giving the
pallium to John, Bishop of Salona, and ordering all other bishops in the region to obey their archbishop. Leo also advised several bishops to work only within the confines of their dioceses, and put out a plea for help to help protect the Church from Muslim invasions, writing, “Whoever died faithful in this struggle will not see himself refused entry into the heavenly kingdom.”
Fun fact: The historian Flodoard wrote about Leo VI, saying, “Through the virtue of Peter, Leo the sixth was taken and received, he was preserved for seven months and five days, and like his predecessors, he joined the company of the prophets.”
SOURCES (and further reading)