In 452, Pope St. Leo I met with Attila the Hun, who was on his way to invade Rome. The dialogue of the negotiations was not recorded. However, the Gallic Chronicle relates that Pope Leo was flanked by the spirits of St. Peter and St. Paul and frightened Attila into submission. In any case, Rome was not destroyed and Attila gave up his prisoners.In fact, the meeting took place in Attila’s tent, but in Raphael’s fresco, the figure of Pope St. Leo I rides toward the Huns, who are galloping into the scene from the right, with Attila at center, on a black steed. The figure of Pope Leo I is actually a portrait of the contemporary pope, Leo X. A mere wave of the pope’s hand is enough to repel the Huns while, in the background, Mount Mario burns.
This fresco is more fragmentary and dispersive than the other frescoes of the cycle (series of paintings commissioned at once). Many critics attribute this weakness to the extensive participation of Raphael's pupils.
