Who he was
Innocent, a native of Albano according to the Liber Pontificalis, grew up among the Roman clergy and was chosen unanimously in December 401. His pontificate saw the sieges of Rome by Alaric and the Goths; he went to the Emperor Honorius at Ravenna to seek peace, and was away when the city was sacked in 410.
What he is remembered for
An energetic pope, he guided bishops in Gaul, Spain, Illyricum and Africa with decisions on discipline, and stood by St John Chrysostom when he was unjustly deposed in Constantinople. In the Pelagian controversy he confirmed the African councils' condemnation of Pelagius' teaching, answering a letter from St Augustine and four other bishops. He was buried above the Catacomb of Pontian and venerated as a saint.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints