Gregory the Great

Gregory was born into a wealthy Roman family at a time when Italy was devastated by war and plague. He became prefect of the city of Rome, its highest civil official, but around 574 he gave his family property to found monasteries and became a monk himself. The pope sent him as ambassador to the imperial court in Constantinople, and in 590, during an outbreak of plague, he was chosen pope against his wishes. With little help from the emperor, he organized food supplies for Rome from the Church's estates, negotiated with the Lombards who threatened the city, and managed the Church's lands carefully. He called himself the servant of the servants of God. His Pastoral Rule, a book on the duties of bishops, was translated into English by King Alfred. He wrote Dialogues on Italian saints, including the life of Benedict, and many sermons. Bede records that, seeing English boys for sale in Rome, he was moved to send the monk Augustine with a mission to the English in 597. The plainchant called Gregorian is named after him. He died in 604.

Faith: Pope Gregory I; honored as a saint. Source: Catholic Encyclopedia (1913)