Pope Leo III

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Pope Leo III, also known as Charlemagne's Pope, was the 96th Pontiff. Elected on the 26th of December 795, he is most known for crowning Charlemagne Emperor and establishing the precedent that only the Pope could confer the Imperial Crown. He died in 816 following over 20 years as Pope in the city of Rome.

On April 25, 799, Leo was physically attacked in the streets of Rome by supporters of his predecessor's nephew, being accused of adultery and perjury.

Life

Rather than keeping the Papacy independent of secular authorities, Leo deliberately took steps to ally with Charlemagne and his growing empire. Attacked in the streets of Rome by supporters of his predecessor's nephew, Leo sought the aid of Charlemagne and eventually crowned him Emperor, establishing an important precedent. As Pope, Leo was adept in diplomacy and managed to keep his Carolingian allies from exerting any real influence on matters of doctrine. He died in 816 in Rome, at the age of 66. He was canonized in 1673.