Pope Siricius

Born around 334, Siricius became bishop of Rome in December 384, stepping into an office whose authority was still being defined. When Himerius, bishop of Tarragona, wrote with questions on baptism and church discipline, Siricius responded with the Directa decretal — not a theological treatise but a set of binding administrative rulings. Those decrees are the earliest papal decretals to survive complete, turning correspondence into law and setting a precedent that would shape Catholic governance long after him. He died on 26 November 399, having spent fifteen years formalizing what a pope coul…