Pope Leo Confronts Attila
In the fifth century the Huns, an Asiatic tribe of barbarians, overran Europe, working havoc and devastation wherever they went. They extended their ravages to Italy; after having burnt several towns, Attila, their king, determined to pursue his conquests farther south and destroy Rome also. Indescribable was the terror of the inhabitants when they heard that the Huns were advancing upon their city. But Pope Leo the Great was not intimidated, He relied on the divine protection, and called upon all the inhabitants of the Eternal City to pray fervently for assistance from on high. When Attila, with his five hundred thousand soldiers, was seen approaching. Pope Leo, arrayed in his pontificals and attended by a long train of clergy, went out to meet him. He boldly confronted the king of the Huns, threatening him with the divine judgments if he ventured to enter the city. The dignified bearing of the Pope and his forcible words made so deep an impression on the barbarian monarch that he promised to keep the peace, and immediately withdrew his forces from the neighborhood of Rome. It is said that a shining figure appeared to Attila behind the Pontiff, wielding a sword with a menacing gesture, and that determined him to accede so readily to the Pope’s request.
Q. Were the angels as God created them, good and happy?
A. The angels, as God created them, were good and happy.
