-
 Theologian
and reformer pope
- Although reluctant to be pope, Gregory
used his considerable administrative skills to reform radically the
early Roman Catholic church and the role of the papacy.
Born into a wealthy family, he resigned a government post to become
a monk, and converted his family estates in Rome and Sicily into monasteries.
Humble and rigidly ascetic, Gregory was reluctant to accept his election
to the papacy in 590, but with typical pragmatism he resolved to be
a pope for the people. He reorganized Church lands to provide food
and protection for the people of Rome, threatened by Lombard invaders,
and acting as civil ruler, negotiated peace with the Lombards. The
result was an increase in the political and social influence of the
papacy, and the foundation of the future papal states.
Within the Church he fought to eliminate corruption and introduced
Gregorian chant into the liturgy, as well as writing a series of influential
texts. He also worked to spread Christianity across Europe and North
Africa. On his death he was canonized and dubbed "Gregory the
Great."
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