Siricium

Siricio (Latin: Siricius) was the 38th Pope of the Catholic Church. He officiated as pontiff between 384 and his death, which occurred in 399. His activity tended to reinforce the authority of the Church of Rome, through pontifical decrees and epistles to bishops that contained rules, provisions and conciliar decisions. He collaborated on repeated occasions with Ambrosio of Milan, and Isidore of Seville remembered him as clarissimus pontifex ("illustrious pontiff").

Pontificate

When Pope Damasus I died in December 384, Jerónimo de Estridón was a strong candidate to succeed him. He had assiduously associated with Damasus and worked under his influence in Rome. However, his strong character and the tensions that had arisen between him and the clergy of Rome meant that he did not have the necessary acceptance. Siricius was elected, who began his pontificate in 384. Jerome left Rome for good in August 385 and returned to the East, settling in Bethlehem.

Siricius was the first pope to use his authority in his decrees using words like: "We command", "We decree", "By our authority..." in the typical rhetorical style of the emperor. Siricius was also the first to use the title of pope.

He consecrated the first basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. His name can still be read on a column that was not damaged during the 1823 fire that almost completely destroyed that basilica.

With three decrees, he reaffirmed the traditional obligation of clergy (bishops, priests and deacons) to maintain continence, not allowing married clergy to have conjugal relations with their wives.

He died on November 26, 399 and is buried in the Priscilla catacombs. His name was not included in the list of saints until the 18th century , by Pope Benedict XIV.