Pray for Pope Leo XIV to walk in the footsteps of Pope Leo IX.

I've been reading about Pope Saint Leo IX, born in 1002 shortly after the new millennium began. What a great saint! He ruled with wisdom and zeal at a difficult time for the Church. 

I'm reading a book he wrote on the vices and virtues. The introduction gives this picture of the saintly pope:

Bruno [his baptismal name] was ordained to the priesthood. His ministry was characterized by diligence and devotion, which was well supported by his prudence, wisdom, and erudition. Soon, he was consecrated as bishop of the important diocese of Toul, which he governed effectively and fruitfully for over two decades.

At this point in history, the governance of the Church in Rome was highly unstable and tainted by corruption.

Sound familiar?  The "Church of Rome" was "tainted by corruption." All of the sheep out there who think nothing evil can never happen in the "holy" city need to read Church history. Let's continue:

Moreover, there was a lack of certainty in many circles about whether it was the Holy Roman emperor or the college of cardinals in Rome who had the right to select a pope.

Because of this confusion, there were frequently two rival claimants to the papaal crown; indeed, at one point in the eleventh century, no less than three bishops asserted themselves to be the legitimate pope....

And the confusion continues in almost every area of the Church. Today we see the machinations by the Lavendar Mafia and the St. Gallen group wheeling and dealing to put their candidate on Peter's chair. Phil Lawler recently posted an article asking, Does This Explain the Election of Pope Leo? discussing some dinners during the conclave where the "conservative" faction met with candidates to consider whom they would support. And so we have Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV with an ironic choice of name since he resembles very little his holy Leo predecessors. Does he resemble Pope Leo IX?

As pope, Leo was extremely effective. He fought strenuously against corruption within the Church (which was then widespread) and worked to strengthen education and discipline among the clergy and to enforce priestly celibacy.

He continued to be be distinguished by his noble sanctity and sincere piety. A veritable multitude of miracles  occurred during his life.

We live in times of Church corruption almost unmatched in the long history of the faith. Did Leo IX ever even hear of transgender insanity? He certainly knew about homosexuality in the priesthood and worked with St. Peter Damian. St. Peter wrote The Book of Gomorrah against sexual immorality among the clergy, particularly homosexuality. He addressed his work to the holy pope. Yes, Leo certainly knew about the vices and the virtues and the profound little book he wrote is well worth reading. 

I'll be posting more about The Battle of the Virtues and Vices and perhaps I'll send a copy to Pope Leo XIV. Let us pray for the pope to become a model of virtue like his holy predecessor. May he address the corruption in the Church with zeal instead of accepting and promoting it.

Lord Jesus, have mercy on us. 

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Pope St. Leo IX, pray for us.