Changes

He purchased all of the slaves, brought them back with him to the monastery, cared for them, instructed and [[baptized]] them. Gregory won the permission of Pope Pelagius II to travel and preach with some of his monks to England. The people were so upset that the Pope had sent their dear Gregory to England, they demanded that he be recalled immediately, by force if necessary. Gregory returned three days after leaving. He never forgot the peoples of England, his zeal for the conversion of the heathen, and in particular of the Angles. As Pope, Gregory would send an enormous mission to England preaching the faith.  It earned for Gregory the title of ''Apostle to the English'', and for the Italian Monk Augustine, it earned the distinction of being known forever in Heaven and on earth as Saint Augustine of [[Canterbury]]. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>  

He purchased all of the slaves, brought them back with him to the monastery, cared for them, instructed and [[baptized]] them. Gregory won the permission of Pope Pelagius II to travel and preach with some of his monks to England. The people were so upset that the Pope had sent their dear Gregory to England, they demanded that he be recalled immediately, by force if necessary. Gregory returned three days after leaving. He never forgot the peoples of England, his zeal for the conversion of the heathen, and in particular of the Angles. As Pope, Gregory would send an enormous mission to England preaching the faith.  It earned for Gregory the title of ''Apostle to the English'', and for the Italian Monk Augustine, it earned the distinction of being known forever in Heaven and on earth as Saint Augustine of [[Canterbury]]. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref>  

Besides barbarians, great national disasters beseiged Rome. Earthquakes and floods led to [[famine]], [[pestilence]] and [[plague]]. Pope Pelagius II contracted the plague and died soon after. At that time, it was within the power of the clergy, the senate, and the people to elect a new Pope and without any hesitation, they chose Gregory. September 590, he had first been ordained a priest, and after Saint Gregory was consecrated Pope and Bishop of Rome, in [[Saint Peter’s Basilica]]. Saint Gregory was the first monk to become Pope. His favorite title for this exalted office was "servant of the servants of God." <ref>[http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/13/St._Gregory_the_Great.html St. Gregory the Great] Crossroads Initiative</ref> Because of the sheer inability of the rulers of the Eastern Empire to assert any civil authority over Italy and because there was no longer any military authority left in Rome, Pope Gregory was compelled to assume both offices. Gregory looked upon Church and State as co-operating to form a united whole.

Besides barbarians, great national disasters besieged Rome. Earthquakes and floods led to [[famine]], [[pestilence]] and [[plague]]. Pope Pelagius II contracted the plague and died soon after. At that time, it was within the power of the clergy, the senate, and the people to elect a new Pope and without any hesitation, they chose Gregory. September 590, he had first been ordained a priest, and after Saint Gregory was consecrated Pope and Bishop of Rome, in [[Saint Peter’s Basilica]]. Saint Gregory was the first monk to become Pope. His favorite title for this exalted office was "servant of the servants of God." <ref>[http://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/library_author/13/St._Gregory_the_Great.html St. Gregory the Great] Crossroads Initiative</ref> Because of the sheer inability of the rulers of the Eastern Empire to assert any civil authority over Italy and because there was no longer any military authority left in Rome, Pope Gregory was compelled to assume both offices. Gregory looked upon Church and State as co-operating to form a united whole.

Pope Gregory’s constant care was for his bishops and priests. Early in his pontificate, he published his ''Pastoral Rule'' on the duties of a bishop. For centuries, these writings remained the textbook of the clerical life.

Pope Gregory’s constant care was for his bishops and priests. Early in his pontificate, he published his ''Pastoral Rule'' on the duties of a bishop. For centuries, these writings remained the textbook of the clerical life.

On the first of each month, and on the holy days inbetween, the [[Pope]] would assist and oversee the distribution of meat, fish, vegetables, wheat, corn, oil, cheese, wine and clothing. Gregory sought all the food and wood in the papal lands that could be gathered to provide for the needs of his impoverished people. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref> From that time forth the varied populations of Italy looked to the Pope for guidance, and Rome as the papal capital continued to be the centre of the Christian world thanks to St. Gregory.

On the first of each month, and on the holy days in between, the [[Pope]] would assist and oversee the distribution of meat, fish, vegetables, wheat, corn, oil, cheese, wine and clothing. Gregory sought all the food and wood in the papal lands that could be gathered to provide for the needs of his impoverished people. <ref>[http://catholicism.org/gregory-great.html  The Life of Saint Gregory the Great] Catholicism.org</ref> From that time forth the varied populations of Italy looked to the Pope for guidance, and Rome as the papal capital continued to be the centre of the Christian world thanks to St. Gregory.

==Death==

==Death==