Up to the middle of the fifth century about forty-five
bishops had occupied St. Peter's chair at Rome. The most eminent these was Leo
the Great. When he became bishop, the Germans were overrunning the western
provinces of the empire. The invaders professed the Arian faith, as we have
seen, and often persecuted the orthodox Christians among whom they settled. At
such a time, when the imperial power was growing weaker, faithful Catholics in
the West naturally turned for support to the bishop of Rome. Leo became their
champion against the barbarians. Tradition declares that he succeeded in
diverting Attila from an attack on Rome, and when the Vandals sacked the city
Leo also intervened to prevent its destruction.
PONTIFICATE OF GREGORY I, 590-604 A.D.
After Leo, no important name occurs in the list of popes
until we come to Gregory the Great. Gregory, as the son of a rich and
distinguished Roman senator, enjoyed a good education in all the learning of
the time. He entered public life and at an early age became prefect of Rome.
But now, almost at the outset of his career, Gregory laid aside earthly
ambition. He gave up his honorable position and spent the fortune, inherited
from his father, in the foundation of monasteries and the relief of the poor.
He himself became a monk, turned his palace at Rome into a monastery, and
almost ruined his health by too great devotion to fasts and midnight vigils.
Gregory's conspicuous talents, however, soon called him from retirement and led
to his election as pope.
