Linus

Pope Linus

Pope Linus is recognized as the second bishop of Rome, serving after Saint Peter. His pontificate is generally dated from approximately 68 AD to his death around 80 AD. As one of the earliest leaders of the Christian Church in Rome, his significance lies in his role in the apostolic succession and the foundational period of the papacy.

Life and Historical Context

The earliest historical references to Linus's episcopate come from figures like Irenaeus, who wrote around 180 AD that the apostles entrusted the church to Linus. He is also mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the valediction of the Second Epistle to Timothy, where he is noted as being with Paul the Apostle in Rome near the end of Paul's life. This New Testament mention is crucial as it connects him directly to the apostolic era.

Early succession lists, passed down by Irenaeus and Hegesippus and attested by Eusebius, describe Linus as being entrusted with his office by the apostles Peter and Paul after they had established the Christian church in Rome. This has led to him being considered by some as the first pope, though the convention of regarding Peter as the first pope became established later. Jerome described Linus as "the first after Peter to be in charge of the Roman Church," and Eusebius stated he was "the first to receive the episcopate of the church at Rome, after the martyrdom of Paul and Peter."

The chronology of Linus's episcopate is a subject of scholarly debate. While Eusebius and Jerome place his service between 68 and 80 AD, other sources like the Liberian Catalogue and the Liber Pontificalis suggest an earlier period (56-67 AD). However, these earlier dates are often seen as inconsistent with the estimated length of Peter's pontificate and his death.

Tradition and Significance

According to the Liber Pontificalis, Linus was an Italian born in Volterra, Tuscany, and his father was Herculanus. This same source attributes several actions to Linus, including decreeing that women should cover their heads in church and creating the first 15 bishops. It also states that he died a martyr and is commemorated on September 23rd. However, scholarly assessments, such as those in the Catholic Encyclopedia, question the historicity of his martyrdom, noting the lack of evidence for major persecutions between Nero and Domitian, and suggest that some attributions may be later embellishments.

Linus's name is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass. While a tomb inscribed with "LINVS" was discovered in Saint Peter's Basilica, it was later noted that these were likely the final letters of a longer name. Despite debates about specific decrees or martyrdom, Linus remains a significant figure as one of the earliest successors to Saint Peter, representing the continuity and early development of the Roman Church.