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'''Pope Saint Linus''' (d. [[79]]) was the second leader of the unified [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] in the city of [[Rome]]. The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] identifies Linus as the second [[Pope]], immediately following the [[apostle]] [[Saint Peter]], however some Protestant scholars hold Saint Linus to be the first Bishop of Rome, first appointed by Saint Paul, based upon Saint Peter's claim preserved in the ''[[Apostolic Constitutions]]''[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.ix.viii.iv.html (Book VII Section IV)]. [[Tertullian]] names [[Pope Clement I|Saint Clement]] to have been the first successor to Saint Peter, most other accounts (except Peter's) have Linus as the first bishop of Rome following St Peter, though they vary significantly on the date of the commencement of his papacy. Most sources suggest that Linus became pope in [[67]], while [[Eusebius]] gives [[69]], the ''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]]'' [[64]], the ''[[Liber Pontificalis]]'' [[56]] and the ''[[Liberian Catalogue]]'' [[55]]. [[Holy See|The Vatican]]'s [[2003]] ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' cites the year [[68]]. The discrepancy may be explained by Linus already being Saint Peter's adjutor during his lifetime, and some of the sources may incorrectly choose this time. He was Pope for eleven to fifteen years; the ''Liberian Catalogue'' gives a duration of 12 years, 4 months and 12 days.
Saint Peter's view preserved in the ''Apostolic Constitutions'' comment on the appointment of Saint Linus as Rome's first Bishop. Saint Peter writes: ''"Now concerning those bishops which have been ordained in our lifetime, we let you know that they are these: ... Of the church of Rome, Linus the son of Claudia was the first, ordained by Paul; and Clemens, after Linus’ death, the second, ordained by me Peter."'' Peter's words are credible since Paul arrived in Rome prior to Peter, and therefore Paul was in a more likely position to appoint a Bishop.
