Pope Leo XIII was born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to his father, Count Lodovico Pecci, and his mother, Anna ProsperiBuzi. Vincenzo was born in the Italian city of Carpineto, Italy and grew up with six siblings, but was closest to his older brother, Giuseppe, who Vincenzo referred to as his best friend. The Pecci family was deeply religious and committed their lives to the Church. This was shown by both Pecci boys going to a Jesuit run school and continuing their education in Rome to become Church nobility. At this prestigious university, Cardinal Sala, a well respected cardinal who also taught, mentored Vincenzo and persuaded him to continue his studies to become a priest. Vincenzo was struck by illness shortly after graduation …show more content…
A great example of this is Pope Leo’s outreach to German Catholics who had been persecuted by Otto von Bismarck. Pope Leo encouraged Bismarck to reduce the number of restrictions against Catholics. These German Catholics were amazed by the actions of Leo who quickly brought an end to the horrible conditions they were forced to endure. Another huge achievement for Pope Leo XIII’s papacy was his ability to restore the Catholic hierarchy in Scotland. This took power away from the Anglican Church and brought thousands of converts into the Catholic family. Leo’s democratic approach allowed Scotland to become more religiously free without the need for a holy war and also allowed Catholics to gain some rights under Otto von Bismarck. This speaks volumes to his ability to wield the power of the Church and also to democratically …show more content…
Leo was celebrating Mass along with a few cardinals and other Church staff when suddenly he had a vision of God and Satan talking to each other. Satan boasted to God that he could easily destroy His Church. God told Satan that if he had the power and numbers to destroy the Church, then he should. Satan said that he needed a hundred more years for his army to be ready. God told him that he would have the time he needed. Pope Leo immediately woke from his dream and composed the “Prayer to Saint Michael”. In this prayer, Leo prays that St. Michael will defend the Church and all those who have turned to God. Leo also prays to the Virgin Mary that she may show mercy to the Church and petition Jesus for his