Pope Leo XIII

Reign: 1878 – 1903
Life: 1810–1903

He had the fourth-longest reign and third-longest verified reign of any pope, behind those of St. Peter, Pius IX (his predecessor), and John Paul II. He influenced the Mariology of the Catholic Church and promoted both the rosary and the scapular. Leo XIII is remembered for his belief that pastoral activity in political sociology is also a vital mission of the church as a vehicle of social justice and maintaining the rights and dignities of the human person.

During Pope Leo XIII's reign, Franz Joseph I of Austria ruled Austria, Emperor Meiji ruled Japan, and Wilhelm II ruled Prussia.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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From the library

Go deeper on Pope Leo XIII

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy

John Julius Norwich

Norwich's narrative history of the popes, from Saint Peter's successors to the modern Vatican.

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Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes
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