Leo XIII First Pope Filmed

Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) was a pontiff of many accomplishments, not the least of which was being the first pope captured on film, during the 1890’s. For a look at the first papal blessing captured on screen click here. It’s said that when this short film clip was shown in the largely Protestant sections of the Midwest, it started a minor riot among those who thought the Pope was coming to take over America. (These were the days, after all, when people ducked at Westerns!)