Pelagius II

Pelagius II (born, Rome—died February 7, 590, Rome) was pope from 579 to 590. Pelagius, who was of Gothic descent, was consecrated as Pope Benedict I’s successor on November 26, 579, without imperial confirmation. His pontificate was continually troubled by the Lombards who were besieging Rome and threatening the Italian peoples, for whom the papacy was responsible. Pelagius sent the deacon Gregory (later Pope St. Gregory I the Great) as nuncio to Constantinople for aid...