Pope Simplicius

Simplicius was pope from 468 to March 10, 483. He was born at Tivoli, Italy, the son of a citizen named Castinus. Most of what is known of him is derived from the Liber Pontificalis.

Simplicius defended the action of the Council of Chalcedon against the Monophysite heresy (and its confirmation of the equality to the Bishop of Rome of the eastern patriarchs), labored to help the people of Italy against the marauding raids of barbarian invaders, and saw the Heruli mercenaries revolt and proclaim Odoacer king of Italy in 476, having deposed Romulus Augustus, the last Western Roman Emperor. Odoacer made few changes in the administration at Rome, firmly in the hands of its Bishop. He worked to maintain the authority of Rome in the West.

His Feast day is 10 March.