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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]] [[Apostle Peter|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.

Sources also vary on the date of his death. Most suggest that he died in [[79]], while the ''Liber Pontificalis'' gives 67, [[Johann Heinrich Zedler|Zedler]] [[78]], and Eusebius [[81]]. Many sources—especially the ''Liber Pontificalis'', but not [[Irenaeus]]—claim he died a [[martyr]], but as there was no persecution in the time of Linus' death, most historians regard Linus' martyrdom rather improbable. Nevertheless, his memorial (feast day) is [[September 23]], the day of his martyrdom according to the ''Liber Pontificalis''. The same work also claims that Linus was buried on the [[Vatican Hill]]. In the [[7th century]] an inscription was found near the confessional of St Peter, which was believed to contain the name Linus.

after= [[Pope Anacletus|Saint Anacletus]]|}}

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[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Catholic Church]]