SAINT OF THE DAY DECEMBER 19 B. URBAN V, POPE, ST. ANASTASIUS, POPE

SAINT OF THE DAY DECEMBER 19 B. URBAN V, POPE Guillaume de Grimoard, later Urban V, was a French Benedictine monk, elected Pope in Avignon (1362-1370). He tried in vain to bring the Apostolic See back to Rome and to heal the rift that had developed between West and East. An austere man, he helped the poor and fought corruption in the clergy. ST. ANASTASIUS, POPE Anastasius of the noble Roman Maximi family was elected Pope in 399. He had a profound spirituality and lived a lifestyle of poverty. He courageously defended the Catholic faith, opposing the heresy of Donatism. He died in 401.