The first pope captured on film — Pope Leo XIII

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With all the fanfare and media attention directed at our current Holy Father, I thought it would be interesting to see the first pope captured on film. This pontiff was Pope Leo XIII and the film was recorded in 1896 — almost 120 years ago. Pope Leo XIII’s 25-year pontificate was an important one and it filled with many successes. For example:

  • He wrote 46 apostolic letters and encyclicals.
  • He raised Bl. John Henry Newman to the cardinalate.
  • He beatified fifty English martyrs.
  • He restored the Scotch hierarchy.
  • He established the hierarchy in India.
  • He raised to the cardinalate Archbishop Gibbons of Baltimore.
  • He sent a papal delegate to represent him at Washington on the occasion of the foundation of the Catholic University of America.
  • He sent a papal delegate to represent him in the Chicago Exposition.
  • He founded the Vatican Observatory.

Although his health was fragile, he maintained a strict and regular schedule in his personal life which, no doubt, contributed to his physical endurance. He was a tireless worker and maintained high standards for those who worked with him. When he died in 1903, at the age of 93, he completed the third longest papal reign. Read more about Pope Leo XIII’s achievements here.

As you watch the video, you will hear this holy pope’s voice as he chants the Ave Maria. I hope his papal blessing transcends the ages and that we all receive graces from his benedictions captured on film. If not, no doubt he is praying for us in Heaven.

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