Who is Leo from Journey to the East and what is their importance?

Leo is two different characters in the novel. He is both Leo the Servant and Leo the President. Leo is described as a gentle, friendly man, whose simplicity disguises his deep wisdom. He has a mystical ability to communicate with animals, particularly dogs, and is most often seen in their company. Although Leo is presumably a very powerful person (President of the League), he lives a simple life and spends most of his time in the service of others.

The name "Leo" suggests connections to the historical figures of Jesus and King David.