POPE #3
Pope St. Anacletus
The Third Pope of the Catholic Church
Second Successor of St. Peter
Pope St. Anacletus, also called Cletus, governed the Church while Christianity remained illegal in the Roman Empire, preserving apostolic unity and strengthening the growing Christian community in Rome.
“Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God.” Acts 20:28 • Douay-Rheims
Explore This Pope
Quick Facts
Overview
Pope St. Anacletus, also known as St. Cletus, was the third Pope of the Catholic Church and the second successor of St. Peter.
He governed the Church during a period when Christianity was still illegal within the Roman Empire. As the Christian community in Rome continued to grow, he helped preserve the unity and organization established by the Apostles while faithfully shepherding the Church through continued persecution.
Early Life
Little is known with certainty about the early life of St. Anacletus. Ancient sources differ concerning his background, with some traditions describing him as Greek by birth and others suggesting he was Roman.
Service Before the Papacy
Before becoming pope, Anacletus was almost certainly a member of the Christian community in Rome, instructed in the Apostolic Faith, and closely associated with the earliest bishops of the Church.
Although historical details are scarce, his election reflects the confidence that the Roman Church placed in his fidelity to apostolic teaching.
Shepherding the Growing Church
Following the death of Pope St. Linus, Anacletus became Bishop of Rome around AD 76. He inherited leadership of a Church still recovering from the persecution under Emperor Nero and continued strengthening the Christian community in the imperial capital.
His ministry included preserving apostolic teaching, strengthening unity among believers, overseeing the clergy of Rome, encouraging perseverance during persecution, and supporting the growing Christian communities.
Traditions Concerning Church Organization
The Liber Pontificalis attributes several organizational developments to St. Anacletus, including the division of the Christian community in Rome into pastoral districts and the appointment of additional clergy to assist the growing Church.
Because these accounts were written centuries after his lifetime, historians regard these traditions with caution. Nevertheless, they likely preserve the memory that the Roman Church became more structured during this early period.
“The Church was young.
The succession remained.”
Historical Context
St. Anacletus governed during the reigns of Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Christianity continued to spread throughout the Empire while the Roman Church became increasingly organized and remained a persecuted minority.
His pontificate took place during a formative period when the Church carefully safeguarded the teaching handed down directly from the Apostles.
Major Contributions
- Third Pope of the Catholic Church
- Second successor of St. Peter
- Continued strengthening the Church in Rome
- Preserved apostolic succession
- Traditionally associated with organizing the Roman clergy
- Guided the Church during continued persecution
Timeline
Traditional birth of St. Anacletus.
Elected Bishop of Rome.
Domitian becomes Roman Emperor.
Dies in Rome.
Feast Day of Pope St. Anacletus.
Papal Legacy Scorecard
Did You Know?
For centuries, some historical lists mistakenly treated Cletus and Anacletus as two different popes because the names appear in different forms in ancient manuscripts. Modern historical scholarship recognizes them as the same person.
Why Pope St. Anacletus Matters
Pope St. Anacletus faithfully continued the apostolic ministry entrusted to the bishops of Rome during one of the Church’s earliest and most vulnerable periods. Building upon the foundations laid by St. Peter and St. Linus, he preserved the unity of the Christian community while helping it grow in organization and stability.
Although the historical record preserves only limited details of his pontificate, his inclusion in the earliest episcopal lists demonstrates the Church’s careful preservation of apostolic succession.
CatholicG33k Historical Highlight
After the faithful leadership of St. Linus, the responsibility of shepherding the Church passed to St. Anacletus around AD 76. Christianity remained illegal, and believers continued to live under the threat of persecution.
Though little is known about his personal life, ancient Christian tradition remembers him as a devoted successor of St. Peter who preserved apostolic teaching and helped organize the growing Church in Rome. His quiet but faithful service laid the groundwork for the influential pontificate of St. Clement I.
Scripture References
- Acts 20:28
- Matthew 16:18–19
- Luke 22:31–32
- John 21:15–17
- 2 Timothy 2:2
- 1 Peter 5:1–4
Primary Historical Sources
- Sacred Scripture, Douay-Rheims
- St. Irenaeus — Against Heresies, Book III, Chapter 3
- Eusebius of Caesarea — Ecclesiastical History, Book III
- St. Jerome — De Viris Illustribus
- Liber Pontificalis, used with historical caution