Honorius I was the bishop of Rome from 625 until his death in 638. Born into a wealthy aristocratic family in Campania, he was elected to the papacy following the death of Boniface V. His reign was marked by efforts to spread Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons, including sending missionaries to the West Saxons and providing the pallium to archbishops in Canterbury and York. He is most famously remembered for his involvement in theological debates concerning the nature of Christ's will and energy.
Ecclesiastical work
During his papacy, Honorius sought to unify various Christian groups, including attempts to persuade British and Irish clergy to adopt the Roman Easter calculation. He supported the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons and maintained diplomatic relations with various leaders, such as the Lombard king Arioald. In his administration, he preferred employing monks to manage the Lateran Palace, following the model established by Gregory I.
Theological controversy
Honorius became central to the Monothelite controversy through correspondence with Patriarch Sergius I of Constantinople. His responses, which suggested a single will for Christ to maintain unity, led to his posthumous condemnation by the Third Council of Constantinople in 681. While some historical defenders, including his successor John IV, argued he only intended to discuss the human will, his actions were later used by opponents of papal infallibility during the nineteenth century.