Leo III, Saint (?-816), was elected pope in 795. His methods and personality antagonized the aristocratic Romans who held many offices in the papal government, and they organized numerous plots and rebellions against him. In 799, a gang brutally attacked Leo on a Roman street and he fled Rome to seek protection from his friend and ally, Charlemagne, king of the Franks. In November 800, Charlemagne himself went to Rome to investigate Leo’s problems. However, by then no one would publicly accuse the pope of wrongdoing, though previously charges of simony (selling of church offices) and immorality had been made against him. Leo took an oath of innocence and Charlemagne reaffirmed his support. On Christmas Day, 800, Leo crowned Charlemagne emperor of the Romans.
Leo was born in southern Italy. As pope, he was active in church affairs in England and Bavaria and strongly defended the faith against heresy. Leo built and restored many churches in and around Rome. He died on June 12, 816.
