Pope Symmachus Dies After a Controversial Papacy
On July 19, 514, Pope Symmachus, who had served as Bishop of Rome since 498, died after a papacy marked by one of the earliest major disputes over papal authority. His election was challenged by the rival pope Laurentius, leading to a bitter schism that divided the Roman Church for years and required the intervention of King Theodoric the Great.
Despite the controversy, Symmachus strengthened the position of the papacy, supported church building projects in Rome, and defended the independence of the Roman bishop from outside interference. His reign helped shape the growing political and religious influence of the papacy during the transition from the Western Roman Empire to the kingdoms that followed.