# Pope Leo XII

_Pope of the Catholic Church from 1823 to 1829_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-leo-xii
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Leo XII (Italian: Leone XII; born Annibale Francesco Clemente Melchiorre Girolamo Nicola della Genga; 2 August 1760 – 10 February 1829) was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 28 September 1823 to his death in February 1829.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 2 August 1760 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Genga ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P19))
- **Died:** 10 February 1829 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Papal States ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P27))
- **Occupation:** Catholic priest; transitional deacon; Catholic bishop ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P106))
- **Education:** Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P69))
- **Positions held:** Pope (28 September 1823 – 10 February 1829); cardinal (since 8 March 1816); diocesan bishop (8 March 1816 – 10 September 1816); apostolic nuncio to Germany (1794–1800); titular archbishop (since 21 February 1794); Archpriest of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727#P39))

## About

Leo XII was in ill health from the time of his election to the papacy to his death less than six years later, though he was noted for enduring pain well. He was a deeply conservative leader, who enforced many controversial laws, including one forbidding Jews to own property. Though he raised taxes, the Papal States remained financially poor.

## Questions

**When was Pope Leo XII born?**  
Pope Leo XII was born on 2 August 1760 in Genga.

**What positions has Pope Leo XII held?**  
Positions held by Pope Leo XII include: Pope (1823–1829); cardinal (since 8 March 1816); diocesan bishop (1816–1816); apostolic nuncio to Germany (1794–1800); titular archbishop (since 21 February 1794).

**Where did Pope Leo XII study?**  
Pope Leo XII was educated at Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

## Related

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- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)
- [Pope Hormisdas](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-hormisdas)
- [Pope Innocent VIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-viii)
- [Pope Alexander VIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-alexander-viii)
- [Pope Innocent X](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-x)
- [Pope Innocent XI](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-innocent-xi)
- [Pope Benedict XII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-benedict-xii)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Leo XII](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Leo_XII) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q43727](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q43727) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Charles Picqué – Portrait de Léon XII (1828).jpg by Charles Picqué (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charles_Picqu%C3%A9_%E2%80%93_Portrait_de_L%C3%A9on_XII_(1828).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Leo XII, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Charles Picqué – Portrait de Léon XII (1828).jpg — Charles Picqué, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Leo XII". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-leo-xii. Retrieved 5 November 2026.