Pope St. Linus: The First Successor of St. Peter in the Roman Catholic Church
The quiet witness who helped establish the foundation of apostolic leadership.
Who led the Church when St. Peter died?
For many Christians, St. Peter is a familiar figure—the rock upon whom Jesus promised to build His Church. His boldness, his failures, his ultimate martyrdom in Rome have captured the imagination of believers for centuries. But what happened after Peter was gone? Who carried the mantle of leadership in the fragile days that followed?
The answer is a man whose name appears only once in the Bible, and yet whose faithfulness helped preserve the Church during one of its most dangerous moments: St. Linus, also known as Pope Linus (c. AD 10 – c. AD 76).
Though not as well-known as his apostolic predecessor, Saint Linus stands as a towering yet quiet figure in the early Church. He was the first to succeed St. Peter as Bishop of Rome—what we now understand as the beginning of the papacy. Pope Linus stepped into leadership when the wounds of martyrdom were still fresh, and when the future of the Church felt uncertain.
His steady hand and hidden strength ensured the survival of the Christian community in Rome during a period of chaos, persecution, and fear.
In this article, True Jesus Way explores who St. Linus was, why his role was crucial, and what we can still learn today from his faithful obedience, spiritual courage, and apostolic legacy.
Who Was St. Linus? — His Life and Background
A Biblical Name with Deep Roots
The earliest reference to St. Linus is found in 2 Timothy 4:21, where the Apostle Paul writes from his prison cell in Rome:
“Eubulus sends greetings to you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.”
This seemingly casual mention has profound significance. According to early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Eusebius, this Linus was no ordinary believer. He was already a trusted leader in the Christian community of Rome—close enough to Paul to be included in his final farewell. That same St. Linus, they taught, would become the first bishop of Rome after St. Peter’s martyrdom.
To appear in Scripture is itself remarkable. But to be remembered by name in Paul’s final moments speaks volumes about the respect and love the early Church had for Saint Linus.
Linus’s Early Life and Conversion
Tradition holds that St. Linus was born in Volterra, a town in Tuscany, central Italy. His name is Greek in form, Linus (Λίνος), which was relatively common in the Greco-Roman world. While not much is known about his upbringing, it’s likely that he grew up in a culturally diverse environment influenced by both Roman and Hellenistic traditions.
How did he come to faith? We can’t say for sure, but the evidence suggests that Linus may have been a convert of Peter or Paul themselves. Some sources say that Saint Linus was present during Paul’s missionary activity in Rome, absorbing the Gospel firsthand. What we do know is that he was among the earliest Roman Christians—a minority group living under suspicion and often persecution.
What makes Linus’s early life extraordinary is not wealth, status, or education—but the simple, steadfast response to the Gospel. In a culture that worshiped Caesar, he chose Christ. And that decision would shape the future of the Church.
St. Linus as the Bishop of Rome
The First to Succeed the Apostle Peter
After Peter’s death around AD 64–67, the Church in Rome faced an urgent question: Who would lead now?
According to St. Irenaeus in Against Heresies (Book III, 3.3), the apostles themselves ordained St. Linus as bishop. Irenaeus wrote:
“After the apostles had founded and built up the Church, they handed over the office of the episcopate to Linus. This Linus is the one mentioned by Paul in the epistles.”
This appointment is monumental. It means St. Linus was directly entrusted with Peter’s pastoral authority—not elected by politics or power, but appointed by those who had walked with Jesus. He is the first link in the chain of apostolic succession, which continues unbroken through popes today.
For approximately nine years (AD 67–76), Pope Linus led the Christian Church in Rome—through persecution, sorrow, and the early development of Christian structure.
A Leader in Perilous Times
The Church Pope Linus inherited was not a powerful institution. It was a persecuted underground community, mourning the violent deaths of Peter and Paul. Emperor Nero had turned Rome into a slaughterhouse for Christians, blaming them for the great fire of AD 64.
Pope Linus stepped into leadership during this persecution. Every prayer meeting could mean arrest. Every baptism could be a death sentence. Yet he accepted the mantle of spiritual fatherhood with courage and humility.
His duties would have included:
- Guiding the Roman Church in doctrine and moral discipline
- Overseeing the Eucharist and baptisms in house churches
- Providing encouragement to those imprisoned or grieving
- Preserving the unity and purity of apostolic teaching
Even without detailed records, we can confidently say that his leadership kept the Church alive during one of its most vulnerable moments.
The Early Papacy and Its Development
What It Meant to Be Pope in the First Century
Today, the Pope is a global figure with influence, a vast administration, and millions of faithful followers. But in the first century, the role was stripped of all prestige. There was no Vatican. No cathedral. No crown.
Instead, the pope was a servant, shepherding a small flock in secret.
Pope Linus, as the second bishop of Rome, was not a monarch. He was a guardian of truth, a spiritual father, and a man risking his life daily for the sake of the Gospel.
He maintained:
- Doctrinal purity, against false teachers like the Gnostics
- Liturgical order, ensuring sacraments were celebrated faithfully
- Spiritual encouragement, especially to those tempted to abandon Christ under pressure
It’s easy to forget that the early Church survived not through buildings or armies, but through men like St. Linus—leaders whose courage burned brighter than the torches of Caesar.
Linus’s Contributions to Church Life
Though few written acts survive from Linus’s papacy, the Liber Pontificalis credits him with issuing a decree that women should wear veils in church, in alignment with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 11.
This shows that Saint Linus was not only a pastor but a teacher of discipline and reverence in worship. He helped the Church develop identity, structure, and order—traits that would shape Catholic life for generations.
His papacy marks a transition from the era of the apostles to the age of the bishops—a necessary step in the maturing of the Church.
Martyrdom and Legacy
The Cost of Faithful Leadership
Was St. Linus martyred?
Many early sources, including the Liber Pontificalis, affirm that he was beheaded for the faith, possibly under Emperor Domitian. While exact historical details are debated, the context of the time supports this possibility. The Roman Empire viewed Christianity as a threat—especially its leaders.
Even if we cannot confirm the specific nature of his death, we can say this: St. Linus lived a martyr’s life.
His daily faithfulness under threat of persecution, his willingness to lead when others might flee, and his quiet endurance in the face of fear—all of this makes him a martyr in spirit, and a saint by calling.
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Saint Linus wore that crown not with noise, but with reverent silence.
His Burial and Commemoration
Tradition holds that St. Linus was buried near St. Peter, in the Vatican necropolis. His tomb is believed to lie beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, symbolizing his unbroken connection to the apostolic mission.
His feast day is celebrated on September 23, when the Church remembers his faith, courage, and obedience.
He may not have written epistles or performed dramatic miracles, but his simple fidelity helped preserve the Church in its infancy.
Historical Sources and Interpretations
What the Church Fathers Say
Early Christian writers offer strong support for Linus’s historical and spiritual importance.
- Irenaeus (2nd century) names him directly as Peter’s successor.
- Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century) affirms Linus’s role as bishop of Rome.
- The Liber Pontificalis (6th century) preserves traditional details of his leadership.
These records—though ancient—are consistent in presenting St. Linus as a real, foundational leader of the post-apostolic Church.
Skeptical Perspectives
Some modern scholars question details like the exact length of Linus’s reign or the decree about veils. Others note that the historical gap makes certainty difficult.
But few dispute that St. Linus existed, that he led the Roman Church, and that he was revered by those who came after him.
Even where the evidence is sparse, the legacy speaks loudly.
Why St. Linus Still Matters Today
Apostolic Succession Made Real
The Catholic Church is built on the principle that the authority of Jesus, given to the apostles, continues through the bishops—especially the bishop of Rome.
St. Linus is the first to receive that authority from Peter.
He is the first visible continuation of the apostolic Church, the bridge from the time of the apostles to the generations that followed. Without Linus, the line might have broken. But because of him, the Church grew stronger.
Every pope since can trace their spiritual lineage through pope Linus, back to Peter, and ultimately to Christ Himself.
A Model for Hidden Faithfulness
In today’s world, greatness is often measured by fame. But St. Linus shows us another way. He was faithful in obscurity, courageous in silence, and obedient in suffering.
His life challenges us:
- Will you be faithful even when no one sees?
- Will you lead quietly, serve humbly, and trust fully?
- Will you follow Christ even when the cost is high?
These are the questions St. Linus’s life asks us—and the answers will shape our eternity.
Conclusion: The Strength of a Quiet Saint
History often forgets the quiet ones. But heaven does not.
St. Linus was not a great speaker or prolific writer. He didn’t build monuments or lead armies. But he did something far more important:
He followed Peter.
He preserved the Gospel.
He kept the Church alive.
Today, every time a pope speaks, every time a Mass is celebrated in Rome, every time a believer reads the name of St. Peter, St. Linus is there—silently holding the foundation.
“The Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
And on that foundation, St. Linus stood, steady, unshaken, faithful to the end.