Pope Boniface II

"Boniface II" redirects here. For other uses, see Boniface II (disambiguation).

Pope Boniface II (Latin: Bonifatius II; died 17 October 532) was the first Germanic Bishop of Rome. He ruled the Holy See from 22 September 530 until his death on 17 October 532. Boniface died of natural causes, likely an illness or old age. ^[1]

Pope Boniface II
Bishop of Rome
Church	Catholic Church
Papacy began	22 September 530
Papacy ended	17 October 532
Predecessor	Felix IV
Successor	John II
Personal details
Born	Rome?, Kingdom of Odoacer
Died	17 October 532 Rome, Ostrogothic Kingdom
Other popes named Boniface

Early life

Boniface's father's name was Sigibuld.^[2] He was probably born in Rome, and was designated to succeed to the papacy by his predecessor, Felix IV, who had been a strong adherent of the Arian Kings of Ostrogoths.

Papacy

Boniface was later elected, largely due to the influence of Athalaric, King of Ostrogoths.^[3] For a time, he served as pope in competition with Dioscorus, who had been elected by most of the priests of Rome. Boniface and Dioscorus were both consecrated in Rome on 22 September 530, but Dioscurus died only twenty-two days later.^[1]

Boniface II's most notable act was confirming the decisions of the Council of Orange, teaching that grace is always necessary to obtain salvation.^[4]

Death

Boniface died on 17 October 532. His body was buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.^[1]