Another great video, of a great Pope

Thanks to Patrick Madrid, here is the oldest known video of a Pope.  It’s from 1896 (the  year my maternal grandfather was born), and shows then 85 year old Pope Leo XIII:

Pope Leo XIII reigned for 25 years, from 1878 to 1903.  He was the oldest pope, dying at age 93.  A staunch critic of socialism (see why I love him), Pope Leo XIII defined much Church doctrine on economic issues in Rerum Novarum.  Interestingly, he did not state that support for abortion could be included in a package of greater social justice benefits.  I’m sure he was intending to get around to that. 

Pope Leo XIII also encouraged Scripture reading by all Catholics.  You can still gain a plenary indulgence, granted by Leo XIII in Providentissimus Deus, by reading Sacred Scripture for 15 minutes every day for a month.  Way to go Leo!