Father Alberto has always been a devout Catholic who ministered to a small parish in Trieste. He was an expert on religious lore, and had been called to the Vatican on several occasions to consult with the Papacy. While Father Alberto took great pride in his knowledge of history, he felt that he was wasting his talents. No one really took the bookish Father Alberto seriously. He knew he could do so much more for the Catholic Church.

It was while in a forgotten library deep in the catacombs under the Cathedral of San Giusto; Father Alberto came across a reference to religious relic called Diogenes’ Lantern. The artifact was said to be able perform miracles. Why the lantern was associated with a Greek philosopher was a mystery Father Alberto was never able to figure out. Father Alberto searched all over Trieste for further clues to the whereabouts of the relic, but the only other reference he found referred to the lion of St. Mark. Naturally this led him to Venice, where St. Mark was the cities patron saint.

Venice contained countless secrets, and Father Alberto uncovered several, but nothing about Diogenes’ Lantern. Father Alberto was quickly becoming frustrated. There were just too many mysteries in the city. Just when he was about to give up his quest, he met a Carmelite nun Maria; she was also a super-heroine known as Choir, a part time member of the Dawnstars. At first Father Alberto didn’t approve of a bride of Christ involving herself in secular matters, but changed his point of view when the sister became invaluable to his search for the lantern.

Father Alberto discovered several crystals hidden across Venice from the Grand Canal, and as far way as the Lido. Using her sonic powers, Choir was able to cause the crystals to vibrate. Each crystal led to more crystal until four were collected, and then something miraculous happened. The crystals whipped out of Father Alberto’s hands and flew again across Venice. They stopped a bronze statue of the Lion of Saint Mark. Hanging from the right paw of the statue was a simple bronze lantern. The crystals were dancing around the lantern, and when Father Alberto touched the lantern is came free from the statue, as if the statue was giving the lantern to him. Each crystal fitted itself perfectly into the lantern, which blazed, forth with holy light.

Father Alberto screamed with holy ecstasy as he bonded with Diogenes’ Lantern. His body changed as well. White wings sprouted from his back and his frame swelled with holy strength. Choir simply watched with a look of rapture on her face. She was witnessing a miracle.

Since gaining the lantern, Father Alberto has remained in Venice, and the champion of Saint Mark, and has taken to be known in the press as Leone Alato or Winged Lion. For a long time Leone Alato worked solo, but when he received an urgent call from Fata Morgana, Leone Alato reluctantly joined Protezoni.

Father Alberto is a devout Catholic priest, and takes his offices quite seriously. At times this almost seems to make Father Alberto almost too much to deal with. The other members of Protezoni have to remind him of his humanity.

Another less than endearing trait that Father Alberto has is his cynicism, which has been made worse by his contact with Diogenes' Lantern. Father Alberto always expects the worst out of everybody, even the other members of Protezoni. The combination of these two traits can make Father Alberto difficult to deal with. However, he still believes in humanity, and fights in its defense, especially against threats that are supernatural.

"He that hath ears, let him hear. Let him hear the roar of Leone Alato."

Leone Alato is stronger and faster than the average human. Growing from his back are a pair of fully functional wings which allows him to fly at high speeds. In this form Leone Alato is able to roar a terrifying roar that scares the unfaithful. His costume is reinforced, in case his lantern fails to protect him.

The most powerful relic that Leone Alato possesses is Diogenes' Lantern. With the lantern, he's able to project a variety of forces. From a simple direct bursts of force energy to creating almost impenetrable walls of force. The only limitations to the lantern is the amount of holy oil in the reservoir. Father Alberto must refill the oil on occasions.

When in his Leone Alato form, Father Alberto becomes a musuclar lion headed man with a pair of golden eagle wings growing from his back. For a costume, he wears a skintight red and blue bodysuit, along with blue gloves and boots. Emblazoned across his chest is a white cross. He holds the Diogenes' Lantern in one hand. It glows from with a warm glow. When Father Alberto returns to his normal form he regains his human features, that of a balding priest. When not in his Leone Alato form, Father Alberto typically wears black with his clerical collar.