Pope Mark

Pope Mark, known in Latin as Marcus, was the bishop of Rome for a short period in the year 336 AD, serving from January 18 until his death on October 7 of that year. Little is known about his early life; historical accounts, such as the Liber Pontificalis, state he was Roman and that his father's name was Priscus.

Pontificate and Contributions

Mark succeeded Pope Sylvester I. His papacy, though brief, is associated with several notable developments. Some historical evidence suggests that the early lists of bishops and martyrs, known as the Depositio episcoporum and Depositio martyrum, may have been initiated during his time as pope. The Liber Pontificalis also attributes to him a significant constitution that granted the bishop of Ostia the pallium and confirmed his authority to consecrate newly elected popes. Furthermore, Pope Mark is credited with founding the Basilica of San Marco in Rome and a cemetery church situated over the Catacomb of Balbina, outside the city, on land donated by Emperor Constantine.

Death and Veneration

Pope Mark died of natural causes on October 7, 336, and was initially buried in the catacomb of Balbina. His remains were later moved in 1048 to Velletri and, in 1145, were relocated to the Basilica of San Marco in Rome, where they remain today under the altar. His feast day is observed on October 7, and he is particularly venerated at the Abbadia San Salvatore at Monte Amiata.