St Miltiades

Who he was

Miltiades, also called Melchiades, was a native of Africa, elected on 2 July 311. The persecution had just ended, and he recovered the Church's confiscated property in Rome. He lived to see Constantine enter Rome after the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.

What he is remembered for

Constantine gave the Church the Lateran Palace, which became the popes' home. In 313 Miltiades presided over a synod at the Lateran that judged the Donatist dispute in Africa in favour of Bishop Caecilian of Carthage. He was buried in the Catacomb of St Callistus and venerated as a saint.

He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1907-14): Pope St. Miltiades
• The Holy See: list of the Supreme Pontiffs