He was born in Rome around the year 540. He rose through various public offices to the prefecture which he renounced. He entered the monastic life. He acted as papal legate at Constantinople. He was elected pope on 3 Sept 590. He tightened church discipline and liturgical practice, reorganised the lands belonging to the Holy See, and sent St Augustine to evangelise the Kingdom of Kent. He is consequently called the “Apostle of the English.” He wrote extensively on moral and theological subjects. He died on 12 March 604. He was declared a Doctor of the Church. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2963; Christian Prayer 1990, p 1214
