Pope Leo XIII, born Gioacchino Vincenzo Raffaele Luigi Pecci, (2 March 1810 – 20 July 1903) held the papacy from February 20, 1878 until his death in July 20, 1903. He was the oldest pope to hold office passing away at the age of 93. He is best known for his social encyclical, Rerum Novarum, authoring the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, promoting the Rosary and the Scapular, and the revival of Thomism in seminary training. He strongly opposed socialism, laissez-faire capitalism, and emphasized the right to private property. He authored 13 encyclicals on Our Blessed Mother.
