AD 366–384

Damasus I

He did more than any pope to establish Latin as the language of western Christianity.

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Years served: AD 366–384
Biography: Damasus promoted the cult of the Roman martyrs, commissioned Jerome's Latin Bible, and presided over the synod of 382 that listed the canonical books.
Historical context: His election was violently contested, and Christianity was becoming the empire's dominant religion.
Major events: The Roman synod of 382 and its canon list
Commissioning of the Vulgate
Historical significance: He did more than any pope to establish Latin as the language of western Christianity.

Sources and References