Pope Vigilius, the fifty-ninth pontiff, held the Papal office from March 29, 537 A.D. He played a crucial role during a pivotal era as the first pope in the Byzantine papacy, ascending after the removal of his predecessor, Pope Silverius.

During his Papal office, Rome, besieged by Ostrogoth barbarians, faced not only external threats but also internal strife within the Church.

Pope Vigilius is primarily recognized for his central involvement in the intricate theological dispute known as the Three Chapters Controversy, sparking a theological conflict between the Western and Eastern branches of the Church.

A theological dispute known as the Three Chapters Controversy ignited tensions between the Western and Eastern branches of the Church. Pope Vigilius, recognizing the gravity of these challenges, directed his attention to the ecclesiastical issues. At the heart of the matter was the Council of Chalcedon, which affirmed the dual nature of Jesus Christ—both fully human and fully divine.

This theological conflict posed significant challenges, as key imperial provinces such as Egypt and Syria adhered to Monophysite beliefs. The Monophysites asserted that the person of Jesus Christ has only one, divine nature rather than the two natures, divine and human, that were established at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D.
Emperor Justinian, navigating the intricate web of imperial politics and religious orthodoxy, sought to quell the discord by condemning the writings of the Three Chapters of Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret and Ibas. This move sparked a controversy in the Western church. In response, Justinian pressured Pope Vigilius to come to Constantinople, compelling him to denounce the writings of the Three Chapters.

Despite initial resistance, Vigilius was forced to censure the writings, causing an upheaval in the Western church and prompting Justinian to convene a general church council.

Emperor Justinian did not wait for the church council to assemble before reiterating his position against the writings. In response, Pope Vigilius severed ties with the Emperor and sought refuge in Chalcedon. Here, he began reprimanding some leaders of the Eastern Church who supported Justinian.

When the church council commenced in 553 A.D., Pope Vigilius remained evidently absent. The council affirmed the imperial position against the writings of the Three Chapters.

On May 24th, 553 A.D., Pope Vigilius issued his Resolution, refusing to ratify the church council's verdict. Under intense pressure and mistreatment from Justinian, coupled with the calls from the church in Rome for the pope to return from Chalcedon, Vigilius withdrew his initial Resolution and signed another one, officially endorsing the verdict of the universal church council.

Pope Vigilius was released to return to Rome in 555, but passed away on his journey.