Gregory the Great

He was the first pope from a monastic background. Gregory the Great encouraged the church toward missionary work among the peoples of northern Europe. In fact, he did much to spread Christianity in England. His work, "The Rule for Pastors", helped shape the episcopal office. His doctrine of the Trinity was a development of the theology of Basil and that of their mutual friend Gregory Nazianzus. His spiritual theology, which posited God as infinite and salvation as potentially universal, is highly popular. Gregory is admired for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as popes.