Pope St. Damasus

Patron Saint of Archeologists

St. Damasus I was pope in the 4th century. The life of St. Damasus demonstrates that saints are humans who face many crises while performing God's work. When he was elected pope, the election of the an anti-pope Ursinus resulted in armed conflicts. Despite this succession crisis he had to overcome, St. Damasus encouraged St. Jerome to prepare a suitable Latin translation of the Bible, now known as the Vulgate. He also increased devotion to the Roman martyrs by restoring access to their tombs and adding epitaphs, many of which still exist today. St. Damasus also helped combat heresies in the Church and he reconciled some issues with Eastern Churches.