Leo XIII lived to be 93 years and 140 days old. He was the first pope in history to be recorded on film. At the request of the Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, he consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, a member of a family of Italian counts, was born on this day in 1810. He was elected pope at the conclave in 1878, taking the name Leo XIII. Pope Leo XIII was born in the town of Carpineto Romano, located some 50 km from Rome, in the direction of Naples.
Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci was elected pope when he was 67 years old. Since he had a long pontificate of 25 years and 150 days, he became the oldest pope in the recorded history of the Catholic Church. Namely, Leo XIII remains the only pope in history to have lived over 90. In fact, Leo XIII lived to be 93 years and 140 days old. He was born in the early 19th century, but died only in the 20th (in 1903), meaning his life encompassed almost the entire 19th century (he was born in 1810).
The pope strongly promoted the rosary (he was sometimes called the Rosary Pope) and the devotional scapular. He was the first pope in history whose voice was recorded. Indeed, the recording of his voice while praying the Ave Maria can be downloaded from the internet. Leo XIII was also the first pope in history to be recorded on film. At the request of the Blessed Sister Mary of the Divine Heart, he consecrated the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
