Bishop of Rome (pope), * 305, † AD 384, son of a priest of the Roman parish; his mother Laurentina was ordained as a widow after the death of her spouse [1. 10], a sister Irene lived as a virgin dedicated to God [1. 11]. Deacon from 355 onwards, he was chosen as bishop of Rome in 366 against stiff opposition (opposing bishop Ursinus). Violent fights arose between the two parties, in the course of which D. managed to assert his position over that of his opponents.
During his term in office he single-mindedly advanced the pre-eminent position of the Roman bishop, th…