Pope from
11 February 731
Pope until
741
Died
741
Who he was
Gregory, son of a Syrian named John, was so well known for learning and virtue that the Romans acclaimed him pope during his predecessor's funeral procession in February 731.
What he is remembered for
He held two synods in Rome in 731 condemning the destruction of holy images and made a point of honouring images and relics, building an oratory in St Peter's. He sent the pallium to Egbert of York and to Canterbury, and continued to support St Boniface in Germany. Threatened by the Lombard king Liutprand, he finished repairing the walls of Rome and appealed to Charles Martel for help. He died in November or December 741.
He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.
Sources
All popes · Home · All saints