You are not signed in as a Premium user; we rely on Premium users to support our news reporting. Sign in or Sign up today! [embedded content] CLICK ABOVE TO WATCH VIDEO TRANSCRIPT In the run-up to the synod, while we are in Rome, we are going to bring you a series of reports to help you better understand the stakes. The Church's history obviously stretches back 2,000 years, and much of that history has revolved around critical moments here in Rome. One such moment was in the year 591 near the beginning of the reign of Pope St. Gregory the Great. Gregory became pope in the first place because his predecessor had died of a virulent plague sweeping through Rome and the surrounding area, claiming a large number of lives. Additionally, the population of the Italian peninsula was severely decreasing because of the Gothic War, and the Lombard Germanic tribe was able to sweep into a region of Italy and establish a kingdom. The Germans who came to Italy were largely A...