Reigned from December 6, 963 to early spring 965. Born and died in Rome, Italy. He was elevated to the papacy through the efforts of Otto I, who illegally deposed Pope John XII. Two months later he was expelled by John, who died very soon afterwards, and was succeeded by Benedict V. Otto restored Leo, and if Benedict, whom Leo then degraded, acquiesced in his deposition, Leo would have been a true pope from 964.