Homily for Memorial of St. Leo the Great

Homily for the Memorial of
St. Leo the Great

Nov. 10, 2026
Collect
Christian Brothers, St. Joseph’s Residence, N.R.

Pope Leo meets Attila
(Oratory of St. Philip Neri)

It’s a measure of Christ’s prudence and his kindness that he founded his Church “on the apostolic rock” of St. Peter.  Pope St. Leo was very conscious of being Peter’s successor, and his influence as a trustworthy teacher of the faith was universal.  We remember him particularly for his teaching on the 2 natures of Christ united in one divine Person.

Leo’s apostolic preaching and universal care for Christ’s flock in Peter’s name is one reason why he was the 1st to be called “the Great.”  A 2d reason is his work for peace and the protection of the people of Rome.  That he influenced Attila the Hun to divert his army is well known.  He was less successful later in getting Genseric the Vandal to spare the city, but he did manage to protect most of the people—no small achievement in the violent ancient world.

Popes continue to follow Leo’s lead in seeking to mediate “the protection of lasting peace,” tho the world usually isn’t willing to listen—not to Benedict XV, Pius XII, John Paul II, or Francis.  John Paul did at least avert a war between Argentina and Chile.  Leo XIV was recently partly responsible for the safe evacuation of Oleshky in Ukraine.  The media seem to have given most of the credit for that to Melania Trump.  There’s an old political adage that a lot can be accomplished if you don’t mind who gets credit for it.

We continue to revere Peter’s successors, and we pray they may always teach us well the truth of the Gospel.  We pray, too, that the world will listen to their appeals for peace and a just society based on human dignity.