Birthplace
Samnium, Italy
Pope from
12 July 526
Pope until
530
Died
530
Who he was
Felix, son of Castorius, was a priest from Samnium chosen in 526 at the wish of King Theodoric after John I died in prison. He used his good standing with the Gothic court for the benefit of the Church. He is sometimes numbered Felix III.
What he is remembered for
He turned two ancient buildings in the Roman Forum into the church of Sts Cosmas and Damian, whose great apse mosaic he commissioned and which still stands. He sent the bishops of southern Gaul a set of statements on grace and free will that were adopted by the Synod of Orange in 529. Near death in 530 he named the archdeacon Boniface as his successor. He died probably in late September 530.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints