Gregory the Second, 715–731

After seven Popes of Greek or Syrian descent, a Roman again filled the papal throne in the person of Gregory the Second, the successor of Constantine the First. The ancient Roman name, Marcellus, borne by his father, leads us to suppose that the new Pope may have been descended from some illustrious patrician house. The Romans had elected a fellow country man evidently in opposition to Byzantium, and had thus taken a decisive step, and one destined to be productive of important consequences. While deacon, Gregory had accompanied his predecessor to the Imperial court, and on the deliberations on the articles of the Trullan Council had acquired the reputation of an eloquent and determined man. He was elected to the Papacy on May 19, 715, in the third year of the reign of the Emperor Anastasius.

The Lombards were at this time governed by Liutprand, son of Ansprand, a prince of lofty ambitions. He refused to confirm the donation of Aribert the Second, and, although the Pope strove to avoid a rupture, and the Nuncio succeeded in preventing any open hostilities, Gregory nevertheless deemed it prudent to restore the tottering walls of Aurelian, the bulwark of Roman independence.