Expulsion of Attila and the Huns by Alessandro Algardi
Altar of Pope Leo the Great (1640-53) by Alessandro Algardi The altarpiece, the only one in St Peter's to take the form of a marble relief, is the work of Alessandro Algardi (1598-1654). It depicts Pope Leo I invoking the intervention of St Peter and St Paul to prevent Attila the Hun from attacking Rome. Leo the Great (r. 440-61) was the first pope to be interred in the old basilica. His remains were moved to the new basilica by Pope Paul V (r. 1605-21). Leo I is one of the few popes to have been granted the title 'Great'.