PAOLO, bishop of LEON, saint. - He was born at Penhoen (Brittany), around 487. From childhood he devoted himself to the study of Sacred Scripture under the guidance of s. Iltuto.
Desiring solitude, at the age of sixteen he withdrew to a secluded place, living in prayer and penance. He wandered through other places as well, and was subsequently on the island of Ouessant and near Ploudelmezau, where he founded a monastery. Appointed bishop of Léon by King Childeric, he worked diligently for the spiritual growth of the diocese. He later renounced the pastoral office and withdrew to the island of Bath, where he died almost a hundred years old, around 575. He is venerated in Brittany and among the Benedictines; feast day, 12 March.
BBL.: Acta SS. Mortii, II, Paris 1865, pp. 107–19; E. Pkame, Vita s. Pauli, in Anal. Boll., 1 (1882), pp. 208–38. Agostino Amore