Pope Vigilius

Born into Roman aristocracy, Vigilius served as deacon and papal representative in Constantinople, where he allied with Empress Theodora, who wanted his help advancing Monophysitism. After the deposition of Silverius, Vigilius was made pope on 29 March 537. When he refused to sign Emperor Justinian I's edict condemning the Three Chapters, he was arrested in 545 and taken to Constantinople. He remained there under imperial pressure for years, caught between conflicting theological demands. He died on 7 June 555 in Sicily while attempting to return to Rome, never making it back.