The current Cardinal Deacon of the Titulus S. Sabae is Arthur Roche, succeeding Jorge Medina.

This legend, however, can be traced back only to the 12th century, when in context of Renovatio Romae and Church Reform, the monastery of San Saba was meant to be provided with a long and impressive local tradition.

An alternate theory suggests a connection with a hospice for pilgrims founded by Gregory on land that belonged to his family.

After the council, these Sabaite monks settled down in an old domus (=noble estate) on the "Piccolo Aventino" (the smaller crest of the Aventine hill,[4] which at this time was deserted due to the big decrease in Rome's population.

After many years of decay, the basilica was completely renovated in the 13th century, after being ceded to Cluniac monks in 1144.

[5] In 1463, Pope Pius II granted his nephew, Cardinal Francesco Todeschini the monastery of San Saba in commendam.

The cardinal, who adopted his uncle's family name "Piccolomini", immediately began extensive restoration, construction, and decoration works on the ancient buildings.

[2] In 1503 the Cistercians were entrusted with the church, which in 1573 was conveyed to the Jesuits[4] (and their German seminary Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum).