The Second Pope: Who Was He?

who was the second catholic pope

Pope Linus is recognized by many as the second Catholic Pope, serving as the Bishop of Rome from around 67 AD to his death in 80 AD. He is mentioned in the Bible, in the Second Epistle to Timothy, as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. According to the Liber Pontificalis, Linus was born in Tuscany, Italy, to a father named Herculanus, and some records indicate that he ruled during the time of Nero.

Characteristics Values
Name Linus
Birthplace Volterrae, Tuscany
Father's Name Herculanus
Mother's Name Claudia (disputed)
Papacy Start Date c. 67-68 AD
Papacy End Date c. 76-80 AD
Duration c. 9 years
Successor Cletus
Burial Place Vatican, beside St. Peter
Martyrdom Disputed

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Pope Linus was the second pope

Pope Linus is generally regarded as the second Bishop of Rome and the second Pope, succeeding Saint Peter. He was canonized and is believed to have been born in Volterrae, Tuscany, in 10 AD. His father's name was Herculanus, and his mother is believed to have been Claudia.

Linus was close to Paul the Apostle and travelled with him to Rome, where he was with Paul when he passed away. Early Church records claim that Peter and Paul chose Linus as the next leader of the Christian Church, which they had established in Rome.

Linus is mentioned in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy, which describes the Holy Apostles handing over leadership of the Church to him. He is also referenced by Irenaeus, who wrote that "the blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate".

Linus is believed to have served as pope from AD 67 until his death in AD 80, a period of about nine years. He is listed as a martyr, although there is no evidence to support this, and it is unlikely that he was martyred during the reign of Nero or Domitian.

As the Bishop of Rome, Linus was responsible for overseeing the emerging Church. He was the first to allow women to attend church services, although he asked that they cover their heads and remain quiet. He is also believed to have created the first 15 bishops.

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He was the second Bishop of Rome

Pope Linus was the second Bishop of Rome, or Pope, after Saint Peter. He was born in Volterrae (modern-day Volterra) in Tuscany, Italy, around 10 AD. His father's name was Herculanus, and some sources indicate that his mother was Claudia.

Linus is mentioned in the Bible, in the Second Epistle to Timothy, as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. He was close to Paul and travelled with him to Rome. He was also with Paul when he passed away.

Linus was chosen by Peter and Paul to be the next leader of the Church after they established it in Rome. He was pope from around 67 AD to his death in 80 AD, though some sources give different dates for his papacy. He was the first pope to allow women to attend church services, though he asked that they cover their heads and remain quiet. He was buried in the Vatican, beside Saint Peter.

Linus was canonized during the early days of the Church, and he is listed as a martyr in some sources, though there is no evidence to support this.

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Linus was the first pope to allow women to attend church services

Pope Linus, born circa 10 AD in Volterrae, Italy, was the second pope and the second leader of the Christian Church. He was one of the earliest popes and is mentioned in the Bible, in the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:21).

Pope Linus is known for being the first pope to allow women to attend church services, although he asked that they remain quiet and cover their heads and faces. One of his only papal decrees stated that women should cover their hair to meet the wishes of Saint Peter.

There is some dispute over whether the Linus mentioned in the Bible is the same Linus who was pope. According to the Liber Pontificalis, Linus was an Italian born in Volterra in Tuscany, with his father's name recorded as Herculanus. However, the origin of this assertion is uncertain.

Pope Linus was the bishop of Rome from circa 68 until his death in 80 AD. He was the successor of Saint Peter, who was regarded as the first pope from the late 2nd or early 3rd century. Linus was responsible for overseeing a new and emerging church, and historians believe he shaped the church for future popes.

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He was the successor of Saint Peter

Pope Linus is regarded as the second Catholic Pope, after Saint Peter. He was the Bishop of Rome and, as with all the early popes, was canonized.

Saint Peter is considered the first Pope, though some early records indicate that Linus was the first pope. However, it wasn't until later that Peter was recognised as the first pope, and Linus became the second.

Linus was entrusted with the office of the episcopate by the apostles Peter and Paul after they established the Christian Church in Rome. He was chosen to be the head of the community of Christians in Rome. Jerome described Linus as "the first after Peter to be in charge of the Roman Church". John Chrysostom wrote that "this Linus, some say, was second bishop of the Church of Rome after Peter".

Linus is mentioned in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy (2 Timothy 4:21) as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. He was close to Paul the Apostle and travelled with him to Rome. He was with Paul when he passed away.

Linus is listed as a martyr alongside Saint Peter, although there is no evidence to support this.

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Pope Linus was canonized

Pope Linus is recognized as the second Bishop of Rome, or Pope, according to the Catholic Church, serving from c. 67 to 76 AD. He is considered a saint by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on September 23. Pope Linus was a direct disciple of the apostles and is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass.

The process of canonization in the Catholic Church is a rigorous and lengthy one. It involves a thorough investigation into the life and deeds of the candidate, including miracles attributed to their intercession. Pope Linus is unique in that he was canonized through a process known as "equivalent canonization." This means that he was never formally proclaimed a saint by a Pope through the typical procedures, but rather, his sainthood was recognized and accepted by the universal veneration of the faithful throughout history.

This form of canonization was common before the formal processes were established in the 10th century. Pope Linus's inclusion in the Roman Canon, or the Eucharistic Prayer, is significant. This prayer, which is a fundamental part of the Mass, mentions Pope Linus immediately after Saint Peter and Saint Paul, indicating his importance in the early Church. His name was also included in the ancient Roman liturgical books, further attesting to his veneration in the early Christian community.

The exact details of Pope Linus's life and deeds are not extensively documented, but he is believed to have been a native of Volterra in Tuscany, Italy. He was likely of Greek origin, and his name, Linus, is derived from the Greek word "linon," meaning "flax." Some traditions hold that he was the recipient of a letter from Saint Paul, mentioned in the New Testament, though this is not universally accepted.

Pope Linus is often associated with several important contributions to the early Church. He is credited with organizing the Christian community in Rome and establishing a clear hierarchy, including the creation of the offices of deacon and bishop. He is also said to have introduced the use of the "pallium," a circular garment worn by clergy, which symbolizes both authority and unity within the Church.

In art, Pope Linus is often depicted with papal vestments, including the pallium, and may hold a book or a cross. His attributes sometimes include a landscape with a flock of sheep, symbolizing his role as a shepherd of the early Christian community.

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Frequently asked questions

Pope Linus was the second Catholic pope, serving from around 67 AD to 76 AD.

Pope Linus was born in Volterrae, Tuscany, Italy.

Pope Linus was succeeded by Cletus, also known as Pope Anacletus.

Pope Linus is listed as the second pope in the earliest succession lists of bishops of Rome, passed down by Irenaeus and Hegesippus and attested by the historian Eusebius.

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