Why was Pope Leo III important?

Answer 1

Pope Leo X (pontiff from 9 March 1513 to 1 December 1521) is most famous for being the pontiff at the time of Martin Luther's display of the 95 Theses. He was also the last pope to be elected to office not having been previously a member of the clergy. At the time of Luther's proclamation, Leo did not fully understand the effect of the action. After condemning 41 of Luther's teachings in a papal bull, which Luther burned after receiving a copy, Leo issued an excommunication of Luther in another papal bull on 3 January 1521. Leo also bestowed upon King Henry VIII of England the title of "Defender of the Faith," for condemning the works of Luther himself. Henry would later be excommunicated himself for disobeying the Pope (Clement VII), and his daughter Queen Elizabeth I would embrace the theology of Luther.

For a more detailed biography visit Catholic Encyclopedia:

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09162a.htm

Answer 2

Catholic AnswerSee links below. Pope St. Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and had a bunch of nasty run-ins with the locals in Rome.

Answer 3

Pope Leo I known to the Church as Pope Saint Leo the Great, was second only to Pope Gregory the Great as the greatest pope of antiquity. His overriding concern was unity of the Church, especially as the Roman empire fell apart around him. For the complete story, read the Catholic Encyclopedia article at the link below the answer box.

from the Catholic Encyclopedia

Reigned 440-61).

Place and date of birth unknown; died 10 November, 461. Leo's pontificate, next to that of St. Gregory I, is the most significant and important in Christian antiquity. At a time when the Church was experiencing the greatest obstacles to her progress in consequence of the hastening disintegration of the Western Empire, while the Orient was profoundly agitated over dogmatic controversies, this great pope, with far-seeing sagacity and powerful hand, guided the destiny of the Roman and Universal Church.