POPE #64
Pope St. Gregory I (Gregory the Great)
The 64th Pope of the Catholic Church
St. Gregory I (Gregory the Great)
Few men have shaped the Catholic Church as profoundly as Pope St. Gregory I, better known as Gregory the Great.
He is one of only three popes in history officially given the title “the Great”, alongside St. Leo I and St. Nicholas I.
“Feed the flock of God which is among you… becoming from the heart a pattern of the flock.”
Explore This Pope
Editorial Reading Note
This page preserves the substance of the CatholicG33k biography supplied for this pope while applying the new Every Pope A-Z URL, official Vatican sequence numbering, the approved Pope template, and consistent source labeling. Ancient and medieval details should continue to be distinguished from later tradition during the scheduled historical batch review.
Quick Facts
Overview
Few men have shaped the Catholic Church as profoundly as Pope St. Gregory I, better known as Gregory the Great.
He is one of only three popes in history officially given the title “the Great”, alongside St. Leo I and St. Nicholas I.
Gregory transformed the papacy into one of the greatest forces for evangelization, charity, education, and Christian civilization. He reorganized the Church after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, negotiated peace with invading Lombards, strengthened missionary work, reformed the liturgy, wrote theological masterpieces, and inspired generations of bishops through his example of humble leadership.
Many historians consider Gregory the first truly medieval pope, bridging the ancient world and Christian Europe.
Quick Facts About Gregory
One of the Four Great Latin Doctors of the Church One of only three popes called “the Great” Former Roman Prefect Benedictine monk Founder of monasteries Missionary pope Liturgical reformer Defender of the poor Extraordinary theologian One of the greatest administrators in Church history
Early Life
Gregory was born around AD 540 into one of Rome’s wealthiest and most respected Christian families.
His father: Gordianus served as a Roman senator.
His mother: St. Silvia is honored as a saint.
Several of his aunts are also recognized as saints.
Gregory therefore grew up in one of Christianity’s most remarkable holy families.
Education
He received the finest education available.
He mastered: Sacred Scripture Theology Philosophy Roman Law Greek Classical Literature Administration Even as a young man he displayed exceptional intelligence.
Roman Governor
Before entering religious life, Gregory became: Prefect of Rome around AD 573.
This made him the highest civil official in the city.
He governed wisely despite Rome’s: poverty, famine, plague, political instability.
Becoming a Monk
After his father’s death, Gregory gave away much of his enormous wealth.
He founded seven monasteries, including: St. Andrew’s Monastery on Rome’s Caelian Hill.
There he became a Benedictine monk.
Gregory later described these years as the happiest of his life.
He desired nothing more than prayer and contemplation.
God had other plans.
Papal Ambassador
Pope Pelagius II recognized Gregory’s gifts.
He sent Gregory to Constantinople as: Papal Apocrisiarius (ambassador).
Gregory spent nearly six years there defending the Church and learning Byzantine diplomacy.
This experience would later prove invaluable.
Becoming Pope
In AD 590, Rome suffered a devastating plague.
Pope Pelagius II died from the disease.
The Roman clergy and people unanimously chose Gregory as pope.
Gregory tried to refuse.
He even attempted to hide.
According to tradition, the people eventually found him, and he accepted God’s will.
He became pope on: September 3, AD 590
The Plague Procession
One of Gregory’s first acts was organizing a great penitential procession through Rome.
The people prayed for God’s mercy during the epidemic.
Ancient tradition records that as the procession reached: Hadrian’s Mausoleum Gregory saw: St. Michael the Archangel sheathing his sword, symbolizing the end of the plague.
The building became known as: Castel Sant’Angelo (“Castle of the Holy Angel”) and still bears a statue of St. Michael today.
Servant of the Servants of God
Gregory adopted the title: Servus Servorum Dei “Servant of the Servants of God.” Every pope since has continued using this title.
It beautifully expresses the Catholic understanding of papal leadership: true authority exists to serve.
Mission to England
Perhaps Gregory’s greatest missionary achievement was sending: St. Augustine of Canterbury and forty monks to evangelize: England The mission began in AD 597.
Within a generation, much of Anglo-Saxon England embraced Christianity.
This mission transformed English history forever.
“Not Angles, but Angels”
According to tradition, before becoming pope, Gregory saw fair-haired English slaves being sold in Rome.
When told they were: Angles he famously replied: “Non Angli, sed Angeli.” “Not Angles, but Angels.” Their beauty inspired his lifelong desire to evangelize England.
Gregory and the Liturgy
Gregory greatly influenced Roman worship.
Although modern scholarship recognizes that many developments occurred over centuries, his pontificate significantly shaped: the Roman Mass, liturgical prayer, sacred music, Church calendar, pastoral worship.
The term: Gregorian Chant honors his lasting influence on the Roman liturgical tradition, even though the chant repertoire developed over time after his death.
Gregory’s Writings
Gregory became one of Christianity’s greatest authors.
His major works include: Pastoral Rule The classic handbook for bishops and priests.
Moralia on Job
One of the largest biblical commentaries ever written.
Dialogues
Contains the famous life of: St. Benedict and many stories of Italian saints.
Homilies
Gregory preached extensively on: the Gospels, Ezekiel, pastoral ministry.
Hundreds of Letters
Over 850 surviving letters provide extraordinary insight into the Church of the sixth century.
Care for the Poor
Gregory believed: The Church’s treasures belong to the poor.
Every day he personally ensured that food reached: widows, orphans, pilgrims, refugees, the sick, prisoners.
He transformed papal charity into one of the world’s largest organized relief efforts.
Diplomacy
The Byzantine government often failed to defend Italy.
Gregory therefore negotiated directly with: King Agilulf of the Lombards.
He secured peace that saved countless lives.
Many historians regard Gregory as the true civil leader of Italy.
Defending Doctrine
Gregory defended: the Trinity, the Incarnation, papal primacy, orthodox Christology, Catholic morality.
He opposed: Donatism, remnants of Arianism, schism, abuses among clergy.
He also strongly objected to the Patriarch of Constantinople’s use of the title “Ecumenical Patriarch,” believing it could be misunderstood in a way that diminished the collegial role of other bishops. Gregory consistently described himself instead as “Servant of the Servants of God.”
Historical Context
Political Leaders Emperor Maurice Supported Gregory for much of his reign.
Emperor Phocas Succeeded Maurice.
Recognized certain Roman privileges during Gregory’s later years.
King Agilulf The Lombard king with whom Gregory negotiated peace.
The Church
During Gregory’s pontificate: England began converting.
Rome recovered from plague.
The papacy became Europe’s leading moral authority.
Monasticism flourished.
Missionary work expanded dramatically.
Christian civilization entered a new era.
Major Contributions
- Sixty-fourth Pope of the Catholic Church
- Doctor of the Church
- One of only three popes called “the Great”
- Reformed Church administration
- Expanded papal charity
- Sent St. Augustine to evangelize England
- Strengthened the Roman liturgy
- Inspired Gregorian chant
- Authored theological masterpieces
- Negotiated peace with the Lombards
- Adopted the title “Servant of the Servants of God”
Interesting Facts
- One of only three popes called “the Great.”
- One of the Four Great Latin Doctors of the Church.
- Founded seven monasteries.
- Sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to convert England.
- Wrote more than 850 surviving letters.
- Popularized the title “Servant of the Servants of God.”
- Inspired what later became known as Gregorian Chant.
- Saw government as an act of Christian service.
Legacy
St. Gregory the Great transformed the papacy during one of the most difficult periods in Western history. As the Roman Empire gave way to the Middle Ages, he united profound holiness with remarkable administrative skill, demonstrating that the Church could preserve both faith and civilization amid political collapse.
His influence extended far beyond Rome. Through missionary work, especially the evangelization of England, his theological writings, his care for the poor, and his reforms of Church governance, Gregory shaped Christianity for centuries to come. His Pastoral Rule became the standard guide for bishops, his Dialogues preserved the memory of the saints of Italy, and his vision of pastoral leadership continues to inspire priests and bishops today.
For these reasons, history remembers him not simply as Pope Gregory I, but as Gregory the Great.
Did You Know?
When Pope St. Gregory the Great saw English boys being sold in a Roman slave market, tradition says he asked who they were. Upon hearing they were Angles, he famously replied: “Non Angli, sed Angeli.” “Not Angles, but Angels.” Whether every detail of the story is historical or embellished by later tradition, it reflects Gregory’s genuine missionary passion. A few years later, as pope, he sent St. Augustine of Canterbury and his fellow monks to evangelize England, a mission that transformed the spiritual history of the British Isles.
Why St. Gregory the Great Matters
St. Gregory the Great is one of the towering figures of Christian history. He transformed the papacy into a dynamic force for evangelization, pastoral care, theological teaching, and charity. His mission to England changed the course of European Christianity, his writings became classics of Catholic spirituality, and his humble title, “Servant of the Servants of God,” continues to define the ideal of papal leadership. Gregory’s life demonstrates that true greatness in the Church comes not from power but from faithful service to Christ and His people.
CatholicG33k Historical Highlight
The Pope Who Helped Build Christian Europe
When St. Gregory the Great became pope in AD 590, Italy was ravaged by plague, war, and political collapse. Yet through extraordinary faith and leadership, he renewed the Church and helped shape the future of Europe. By sending missionaries to England, reforming Church administration, caring for the poor, negotiating peace with the Lombards, and writing some of Christianity’s greatest theological works, Gregory became one of the principal architects of medieval Christendom. More than fourteen centuries later, his influence remains visible in Catholic liturgy, pastoral ministry, missionary outreach, and the enduring ideal that the successor of St. Peter is, above all, the Servant of the Servants of God.
Sources and Further Study
Scripture References
- Matthew 16:18-19
- Matthew 25:31-46
- Luke 22:24-27
- John 21:15-17
- Acts 20:28
- 1 Peter 5:2-4
- James 2:14-17
Primary Historical Sources
- Sacred Scripture (Douay-Rheims Bible)
- Pope St. Gregory the Great, Pastoral Rule
- Pope St. Gregory the Great, Moralia in Job
- Pope St. Gregory the Great, Dialogues
- Pope St. Gregory the Great, Homilies on the Gospels
- Pope St. Gregory the Great, Registrum Epistolarum (Letters)
- Liber Pontificalis
- Venerable Bede, Ecclesiastical History of the English People
Timeline
Born in Rome
Prefect of Rome
Becomes a Benedictine monk
Papal ambassador to Constantinople
Elected Pope
Great Plague Procession
Sends Augustine to England
Dies in Rome