Quoted from traditioninaction.org [1]:
St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604) was born in Rome of a wealthy patrician family and received an excellent education. The broadness of his knowledge caught the attention of the Emperor, who appointed him prefect. His tenure in this position earned him fame in Rome for his learning and capacities.When his father died, he inherited an enormous fortune. With it, he founded seven monasteries and, against his will, was elected abbot of one of them. He was made one of the seven papal deacons in 578 and later ordained by Pope Pelagius II. He served as papal nuncio to the Byzantine court in Constantinople from 579-585.He set out to evangelize England, but was recalled to Rome by Pope Pelagius in 589 when plague struck Rome. With the death of Pope Pelagius, who was stricken by the plague, all of Rome acclaimed Gregory as Pope. He fled to a cave, but the people found him and brought him back to Rome, where he was enthroned on September 3, 590. He fought against Arianism, converted the Lombards, and wrote his seminal letter to the schismatic bishops of Istria.He reformed the liturgy and established the style of chant thereafter known as Gregorian. He converted the last pagan temples into Catholic churches, and vigorously combated simoniacs, schismatics, and those who practiced witchcraft. He wrote many books and countless letters that had a great influence on the Middle Ages and earned him the title of Doctor of the Church. After thirteen years on the Throne of Peter, he died on March 12, 604.
Quoted from Wikipedia [2]:
On his father's death, Gregory converted his family villa into a monastery dedicated to Andrew the Apostle (after his death it was rededicated as San Gregorio Magno al Celio). In his life of contemplation, Gregory concluded that "in that silence of the heart, while we keep watch within through contemplation, we are as if asleep to all things that are without."Gregory had a deep respect for the monastic life and particularly the vow of poverty. Thus, when it came to light that a monk lying on his death bed had stolen three gold pieces, Gregory, as a remedial punishment, forced the monk to die alone, then threw his body and coins on a manure heap to rot with a condemnation, "Take your money with you to perdition." Gregory believed that punishment of sins can begin, even in this life before death. However, in time, after the monk's death, Gregory had 30 Masses offered for the man to assist his soul before the final judgment.
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gregory_I#Monastic_years, quoted without hyperlinks and references.
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