Brother Leo (died 15 November 1271) was the favorite disciple, secretary and

confessor In a number of Christian traditions, including Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Lutheranism and Anglicanism, a confessor is a priest who hears the confessions of penitents and pronounces absolution. History During the Diocletianic Persecut ...

Francis of Assisi Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone ( 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italians, Italian Mysticism, mystic, poet and Friar, Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Inspired to lead a Chris ...

. The dates of his birth and of his becoming a

Franciscan The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent Religious institute, religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor bei ...

are not known; a native of Assisi, he was one of the small group of most trusted companions of the saint during his last years.

Life

Although not one of the original twelve companions of Francis, Leo was one of the first to join him after the approbation of the first Rule of the Friars Minor (1209-1210) and perhaps was already a priest. In the course of time he became Francis's confessor and secretary, and from about 1220 up to the time of Francis's death Leo was his constant companion. He was with Francis when the latter retired to Fonte Colombo near

Rieti Rieti (; , Sabino: ) is a town and ''comune'' in Lazio, central Italy, with a population of 47,700. It is the administrative seat of the province of Rieti and see of the diocese of Rieti, as well as the modern capital of the Sabina region. T ...

in 1223 to re-write the rule of the order, and he accompanied him on his subsequent journey to Rome to seek its approval. The year following, Leo was present on Mount La Verna when Francis received the

stigmata Stigmata (, plural of , 'mark, spot, brand'), in Roman Catholicism, Catholicism, are bodily wounds, scars and pain which appear in locations corresponding to the Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion Five Holy Wounds, wounds of Jesus in Christian ...

. Francis called him "Frate Pecorello di Dio" because of Leo's simplicity and tenderness. Leo nursed Francis during his last illness.Robinson, Paschal. "Brother Leo." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 28 December 2019 Soon after Francis's death, Leo came into conflict with those whom he considered traitors to Francis and his ideal of poverty, especially

Elias of Cortona Elias of Cortona ( – April 22, 1253) was a close associate of Saint Francis of Assisi and one of the earliest followers to join the newly founded Order of Friars Minor. A lay brother, he rose to positions of significant leadership within the o ...

. He protested against the collection of money for the erection of the Basilica of San Francesco, and broke in pieces the marble box which Elias had set up for offertories for the completion of the basilica at

Assisi Assisi (, also ; ; from ; Central Italian: ''Ascesi'') is a town and comune of Italy in the Province of Perugia in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Monte Subasio. It is generally regarded as the birthplace of the Latin poet Prope ...

. For this Elias had him scourged, an unpopular move which consolidated the opposition to Elias. Leo thereupon retired to a hermitage of the order. He assisted at the deathbed of

Clare of Assisi Chiara Offreduccio (16 July 1194 – 11 August 1253), known as Clare of Assisi (sometimes spelled ''Clara'', ''Clair'' or ''Claire''; ), is an Italians, Italian saint who was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi. Inspired by the te ...

in 1253. After suffering many persecutions from the dominant party in the order, he died at the

Porziuncola The Portiuncula () is a historic chapel in the town of Santa Maria degli Angeli, near Assisi, Italy. It is closely associated with Francis of Assisi and the Order of Friars Minor, who used the chapel as their headquarters. Following Francis's de ...

in extreme old age, and his remains are buried in the Basilica of St. Francis. Much that is known concerning him is collected by Paul Sabatier in the "Introduction" to the ''Speculum perfectionis'' (The Mirror of Perfection). It was likely compiled after his death based on stories that he told and on his writings.

In literature

Leo figures prominently in

Nikos Kazantzakis Nikos Kazantzakis (; ; 2 March (Old Style and New Style dates, OS 18 February) 188326 October 1957) was a Greeks, Greek writer, journalist, politician, poet and philosopher. Widely considered a giant of modern Greek literature, he was nominate ...

' book ''Saint Francis,'' or ''God's Little Pauper''. In this book, Leo is portrayed as Francis' constant companion. Leo is utterly faithful and steadfast, and yet struggles with his own shortcomings while following Francis.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leo, Brother 1270 deaths Italian Franciscans Year of birth unknown