Life and Pontificate
Leo was a Sicilian, the son of Paul, born around the year 611. Sources note his learning and his particular skill in sacred chant. He was elected to succeed Pope Agatho a few days after the latter's death on January 10, 681, but his consecration did not take place until August 17, 682—a delay of roughly one year and seven months, generally explained by negotiations with Emperor Constantine IV concerning imperial confirmation of papal elections.
His active pontificate accordingly lasted less than a year, ending with his death on June 28, 683. He was buried at St. Peter's and succeeded by Pope Benedict II.
The Sixth Ecumenical Council
Leo's chief accomplishment was his confirmation of the acts of the Sixth Ecumenical Council, held at Constantinople in 680–681 under papal legates, which condemned the Monothelite heresy—the teaching that Christ possessed only a single, divine will. He circulated the council's decrees throughout the Western Church, and in Spain they were formally accepted at the Synod of Toledo in 684.
In confirming the council, Leo addressed the condemnation of his predecessor Pope Honorius I. He clarified that Honorius was condemned not for actively teaching the heresy but for his negligence in failing to oppose it—charging that Honorius, rather than sanctifying the Roman Church with apostolic tradition, had by his inaction permitted its purity to be polluted. This distinction later became central to debates over papal infallibility.
Relations with Ravenna
Leo secured from Emperor Constantine IV the revocation of an edict that had granted the Archbishops of Ravenna autocephalous, self-governing status, curtailing their bids for ecclesiastical independence. He abolished the tax that Ravenna had paid to Rome in exchange for receiving the pallium, while requiring that archbishops-elect travel to Rome for their consecration.
Relics, Churches, and Chant
In response to Lombard raids that threatened the Roman catacombs, Leo transferred the relics of numerous martyrs into a church he built to receive and protect them. He also dedicated the churches of St. Paul and of Saints Sebastian and George.
Noted for his musical ability, Leo reformed the chant of the Roman Church and composed sacred hymns for the Divine Office.
Veneration
Leo II is venerated as a pre-schism Western saint in the Orthodox Church, with his feast kept on July 3. In the Roman tradition his commemoration was later observed on June 28, the day of his repose.
