Gregory the Great
c. 540 – 604 · Rome
Pope, Father and Doctor of the Church
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
A Roman official turned monk who became pope in a time of plague and war, and sent missionaries to England.
Why this person matters
He shaped the pastoral care, preaching and missions of the Western Church for the Middle Ages.
Prefect of Rome, he gave his family property for monasteries and became a monk.
Elected pope in 590, he organised food for Rome and negotiated with the Lombards.
In 596 he sent the monk Augustine (of Canterbury) with companions to evangelise the English.
Key ideas
- The pope as servant of the servants of God
- A pastor must be both contemplative and active
Why they still matter
Gregorian chant bears his name, though it took its form after his time.
Before
- Benedict of Nursiac. 480 – 547
Contemporary
- —
After
- Francis of Assisic. 1181 – 1226
- Pastoral Rule
- Dialogues
- Moral Reflections on Job
- Homilies on the Gospels
- Historical context
- Early Christian source
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.