Laurentius is brought back to Rome by…

502 CE

Laurentius is brought back to Rome by his supporters, and a sizable group of the clergy, including most of the most senior clerics, withdraws from communion with him.

A visiting bishop, Peter of Altinum, is appointed by Theodoric to celebrate Easter 502 and assume the administration of the See, pending the decision of a synod to be convened following Easter.

Presided over by the other Italian metropolitans, Peter II of Ravenna, Laurentius of Milan, and Marcellianus of Aquileia, the synod opens in the Basilica of Santa Maria.

It proves tumultuous.

The session quickly deadlocks over the presence of a visiting bishop, for as Symmachus argues, the presence of a visiting bishop implies the See is vacant, and the See can only be vacant if he were guilty—which means the case had already been decided before the evidence could be heard.

Although the majority of the assembled bishops agree with this, the visitor cannot be withdrawn without Theodoric's consent; this is not forthcoming.

In response to this deadlock, rioting by the citizens of Rome increases, causing a number of bishops to flee Rome and the rest to petition Theodoric to move the synod to Ravenna.

Theodoric refuses their request, ordering them to reconvene the synod on September 1.

Upon reconvening, matters are no less acrimonious.

First, the accusers introduce a document that includes a clause stating that the king already knew Symmachus was guilty, and thus the synod should assume guilt, hear the evidence, then pass sentence.

More momentous is an attack by a mob on Pope Symmachus' party as he sets out to arrive at the synod: many of his supporters are injured and several—including the priests Gordianus and Dignissimus—killed.

Symmachus retreats to St. Peter's and refuses to come out, despite the urgings of deputations from the synod.

At this point, the synod petitions king Theodoric once again, asking permission to dissolve the meeting and return home.

Theodoric replies, in a letter dated October 1, that they must see the matter to a conclusion.

Therefore, the bishops assemble once again on October 23, 502, at a place known as Palma, and after reviewing the events of the previous two sessions decide that since the pope is the successor of Saint Peter, they cannot pass judgment on him, and leave the matter to God to decide.

All who had abandoned communion with him are urged to reconcile with him, and rule that any clergy who celebrates mass in Rome without his consent in the future should be punished as a schismatic.

The resolutions are signed by 76 bishops, led by Laurentius of Milan and Peter of Ravenna.

Despite the outcome of the synod, Laurentius returns to Rome, and for the next four years, according to the "Laurentian Fragment", will hold its churches and ruled as pope with the support of the senator Festus.