Chapel of St. Gregory the Great


In the center of the altar are the mortal remains of Saint Gregory the Great (590-604), one of the greatest pontiffs in the history of the Church. He preferred to be known as the "servant of the servants of God", however the faithful also called him "Consul of God" "Savior of the Church", "Defender of Rome" (he defended the city against the Lombards whom he then converted to Christianity) He evangelized England by sending forty Benedictine monks as missionaries. Gregory's name is also linked to the musical forms he promoted, and even today Gregorian chant resounds with its pure melodies.

In the splendid mosaic above the altar, one of the most perfect in the entire basilica, the saint is depicted as showing the faithful a cloth stained with the blood of martyrs; he encourages them to remain faithful to Christ and to the commitments of Baptism.

To honor this great person, his tomb is surrounded by the four great Doctors of the Church: Saints Ambrose, Augustine, Athanasius and John Chrysostom, in the mosaic on the dome above the altar.