Gelasius I (pope)
? – 496 Roman Pope (492-496)
Pope who set out the idea of two powers, church and state, ruling the world.
- Religion
- Catholic; Bishop of Rome
- Affiliations
- The papacy
Gelasius I wrote to the Byzantine emperor that the world is governed by two powers, the sacred authority of priests and the royal power of kings, with the priestly duty weighing heavier before God. This two swords idea shaped how the West thought about church and state for centuries. He was firm about Rome's authority and worked to relieve famine in the city during his short reign.
In the timeline
- 494 Gelasius I and the doctrine of two powers central figure