Pope Simplicius

Who was Pope Simplicius?

Pope Simplicius was the head of the Catholic Church from 468 to his death in 483. He was born in 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 Eutychian heresy, 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 Augustulus, the last Western Roman Emperor. Odoacer made few changes in the administration in Rome, firmly in the hands of its Bishop, St. Simplicius. He worked to maintain the authority of Rome in the West.

Simplicius is credited for the construction of a church named in memory of the virgin and martyr St. Bibiana.

St. Simplicius's feast day is celebrated on 10 March, the day of his death.