The Rise of the Popes

Rise of the Popes

Pope means father Peter visited Rome and scholars say high probability he died in Rome Early centuries of the Church the leadership was primarily in the East and North Africa.

Rise of the Popes

Shift of influence edged toward Rome
Rome was the imperial capital, Eternal City Largest and wealthiest, therefore influential Early Christian writers refer to Peter and Paul as founders of the church in Rome and bishops as successors of apostles

Pope St. Leo the Great d. 461 Invasions of 5th and 6th Invasions (before and after) In 452 Attila and the Huns invaded Italy, and Leo rode out to meet him In 455 the Vandals sacked Rome and Leo negotiated with the leader Genseric to prevent the burning of Rome. Eastern empire controlled area until the Lombards pressed in the late 6th century.

Pope St. Leo the Great

Leos appeal to Scripture and tradition for the primacy of Rome
Matt. 16:13-19 John 21:15-17

Council of Chalcedon in 451 confirms two heads of the church: Roman Church of the Western Empire and Greek Church of the Eastern Empire Leo known for Tome of Leo and his negotiation of the orthodox view of Christs divinity and humanity

Pope St. Gregory the Great c. 540-604

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Doctor of the Church; born at Rome about 540; died 12 March 604. Gregory is certainly one of the most notable figures in Ecclesiastical History. He has exercised in many respects a momentous influence on the doctrine, the organization, and the discipline of the Catholic Church. To him we must look for an explanation of the religious situation of the Middle Ages; indeed, if no account were taken of his work, the evolution of the form of medieval Christianity would be almost inexplicable. And further, in so far as the modern Catholic system is a legitimate development of medieval Catholicism, of this too Gregory may not unreasonably be termed the Father. Almost all the leading principles of the later Catholicism are found, at any rate in germ, in Gregory the Great. (F.H. Dudden, "Gregory the Great", 1, p. v). Hyperlinks can be found at source: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06780a.htm

Pope Saint Gregory the Great Born 540 in Rome 570 prefect of Rome, highest position 574 withdraw to be a monk 578-590 Deacon, ambassador, called on to do great work in Rome 590 elected Pope

Pope St. Gregory the Great

Major accomplishments:
Rebuilding and protecting Rome (distribution of food, repair aqueducts, defense, negotiations with Lombards) Religious leadership (preaching, promoting celibacy, sending missionaries to Spain and Englandthey are not angles but angels Writing (passed on tradition, especially Augustine and wrote on penance, absolution and purgatory)