Who's Who This Week: Pope Gregory I

Most popes through history failed to live up to the ideal that's often envisioned for the pontificate. Most were fairly decent, but some were ineffective, and a few were downright awful. Only three of them have actually been called "great." Pope and Saint Gregory I was one of them. Pious, learned, humble and strong, he did a great deal for the souls under his care when he was pope, and established important precedents for the papacy that followed him. He truly was "Pope Gregory the Great," our featured individual from Who's Who for the week of April 23.

Find out more about Gregory the Great in these resources:

• Who's Who Profile of Gregory I
• Concise Biography of Pope Gregory I
• Pope Gregory I Picture Gallery
• Pope Gregory I in Print
• Pope Gregory I on the Web

The portrait of Gregory was painted by Antonella da Messina in the 15th century. The graphic is in the public domain.

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