Only three popes have been accorded the title “The Great”. (Leo and Nicholas) were the other two. Gregory seems to have been a reluctant pope but his extremely active and influential papacy set the course for Church-State relations that was to last for centuries and introduced internal reforms that lasted even longer.

Ordained a priest, he became one of the pope’s seven deacons. At the age of 50 he was elected Pope by the clergy and people of Rome. He was direct and firm. He removed unworthy priests from office, forbade money for many services, emptied the papal treasury to ransom prisoners and to care for the victims of plague and famine. He died at the age of 65 and was buried in St.Peter’s He is the patron of Ecuador and also of masons, musicians, scholars, singers, students and teachers reflecting his encouragement of the arts especially music.