5th century
Feast: June 5
A Roman deacon who became pope during a disputed election and defended papal authority.
Boniface I (died 422) served as Pope from 418-422. His election was contested by rival claimant Eulalius, but Emperor Honorius confirmed Boniface as the legitimate pope. He defended papal authority against claims from Constantinople and worked to maintain unity in the Western Church. His papacy marked important developments in papal primacy.