The papacy, one of the oldest continuous institutions in the world, traces its origins to the earliest days of Christianity. The first five popes—Peter, Linus, Anacletus, Clement I, and Evaristus—laid the foundation for the Church during a time of persecution, theological development, and community-building. Each faced unique challenges, yet their leadership shaped the nascent Christian movement. Today, Pope Francis, the 266th pope, embodies qualities and priorities that resonate with these early successors of St. Peter. This article explores the lives, contributions, and legacies of the first five popes and draws parallels to Pope Francis’s papacy, highlighting shared themes of humility, service, and pastoral care.
St. Peter (33–67): The Rock of the Church
St. Peter, originally Simon, was a fisherman from Galilee chosen by Jesus to be the “rock” upon which the Church would be built (Matthew 16:18). As the first pope, Peter’s leadership was marked by boldness, human frailty, and a deep commitment to spreading the Gospel. Tradition holds that he led the Christian community in Jerusalem before moving to Rome, where he was martyred under Emperor Nero, crucified upside-down around 67 AD.
Peter’s papacy was foundational. He navigated tensions between Jewish and Gentile Christians, presided over early Church councils (like the Council of Jerusalem), and established Rome as a central hub for Christianity. His letters, 1 and 2 Peter, emphasize hope, perseverance, and humility in the face of suffering. Despite his impulsive nature—denying Jesus thrice before the crucifixion—Peter’s repentance and dedication made him a relatable, human leader.
Parallels with Pope Francis: Like Peter, Pope Francis emphasizes humility and accessibility. From choosing to live in the modest Casa Santa Marta instead of the Apostolic Palace to washing the feet of prisoners, Francis mirrors Peter’s servant-leadership. Both leaders faced criticism for their openness—Peter for embracing Gentiles, Francis for his outreach to marginalized groups, including refugees and the LGBTQ+ community. Francis’s focus on “a poor Church for the poor” echoes Peter’s call to care for the vulnerable, and his willingness to engage with modern challenges reflects Peter’s adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
St. Linus (67–76): The Quiet Organizer
St. Linus, Peter’s immediate successor, is a somewhat enigmatic figure due to sparse historical records. Mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21, Linus is traditionally considered the second pope, serving from approximately 67 to 76 AD. Early Church historian Eusebius credits him with maintaining stability during a turbulent period marked by Nero’s persecution and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.
Linus’s papacy focused on consolidating the Church’s structure. He is said to have enforced liturgical norms, such as requiring women to cover their heads during worship, and strengthened the fledgling Christian community in Rome. His leadership was marked by discretion and pragmatism, ensuring the Church’s survival amidst external threats.
Parallels with Pope Francis: Linus’s quiet, organizational approach finds echoes in Francis’s efforts to reform the Vatican’s bureaucracy. Francis has tackled financial mismanagement and streamlined the Curia, much as Linus sought to bring order to early Christian practices. Both popes operated in times of crisis—Linus during persecution, Francis amid global polarization and declining Church attendance. Francis’s understated style, avoiding grandiose displays, aligns with Linus’s low-profile yet effective leadership.
St. Anacletus (76–88): The Bridge-Builder
St. Anacletus (also known as Cletus) served as pope from around 76 to 88 AD. Some traditions suggest he was a Roman convert, possibly of Greek origin, making him a bridge between diverse Christian communities. His papacy coincided with the aftermath of the Jewish-Roman War, which scattered Jewish Christians and intensified Roman suspicion of religious groups.
Anacletus is credited with expanding the Church’s presence in Rome, possibly establishing early cemeteries (catacombs) for Christian burials. He also formalized the roles of presbyters (priests), laying groundwork for the Church’s hierarchical structure. His leadership emphasized unity, fostering collaboration among Rome’s diverse Christian factions.
Parallels with Pope Francis: Francis, like Anacletus, is a unifier in a fragmented world. His emphasis on synodality—encouraging dialogue among bishops, clergy, and laity—mirrors Anacletus’s efforts to harmonize diverse Christian groups. Francis’s global outreach, such as his visits to conflict zones like Iraq and South Sudan, reflects Anacletus’s bridge-building spirit. Both popes prioritized inclusivity, with Francis advocating for interfaith dialogue and Anacletus integrating varied Christian traditions. Francis’s care for creation, seen in his encyclical Laudato Si’, also parallels Anacletus’s practical contributions, like establishing communal spaces for worship and burial.
St. Clement I (88–97): The Voice of Authority
St. Clement I, pope from approximately 88 to 97 AD, is one of the most documented early popes, largely due to his First Epistle to the Corinthians. This letter, written to resolve disputes in the Corinthian Church, is a landmark of early papal authority, demonstrating Rome’s growing role as a mediator in Christian disputes.
Clement’s papacy occurred during Emperor Domitian’s persecution, which targeted Christians for refusing to worship Roman gods. Despite these challenges, Clement emphasized charity, repentance, and obedience to Church leaders. His epistle reflects a pastoral tone, urging unity and humility. Tradition holds that he was martyred, possibly exiled and thrown into the Black Sea with an anchor tied to his neck.
Parallels with Pope Francis: Clement’s authoritative yet pastoral voice resonates in Francis’s writings, such as Amoris Laetitia, which addresses family life with compassion while reinforcing Church teaching. Both popes used their authority to heal divisions—Clement in Corinth, Francis in a polarized global Church. Francis’s focus on mercy, seen in the 2016 Year of Mercy, echoes Clement’s call for repentance and forgiveness. Additionally, both faced external pressures—Clement from Roman persecution, Francis from cultural secularism—yet maintained a message of hope and reconciliation.
St. Evaristus (97–105): The Structural Reformer
St. Evaristus, pope from around 97 to 105 AD, served during a period of relative calm under Emperor Trajan, though sporadic persecutions persisted. Of Greek or Jewish descent, Evaristus is credited with formalizing the Church’s organization in Rome. He reportedly divided the city into parishes, assigning priests to specific regions, and established norms for episcopal succession.
Evaristus’s reforms strengthened the Church’s resilience, enabling it to withstand future challenges. His papacy emphasized clarity in roles and responsibilities, ensuring the Church could function effectively as it grew. Little is known about his death, though some traditions suggest martyrdom.
Parallels with Pope Francis: Evaristus’s structural reforms parallel Francis’s efforts to modernize the Church’s governance. Francis’s revisions to canon law, such as streamlining annulment processes, and his creation of new cardinals from underrepresented regions reflect Evaristus’s focus on accessibility and organization. Both popes sought to make the Church more responsive to its members’ needs—Evaristus through parish systems, Francis through decentralizing authority and promoting local decision-making. Francis’s emphasis on a “synodal Church” aligns with Evaristus’s vision of a well-ordered, interconnected community.
Common Themes and Pope Francis’s Continuity
The first five popes operated in a world hostile to Christianity, yet their leadership laid the groundwork for a global faith. Several themes unite their papacies and resonate in Pope Francis’s leadership:
- Humility and Service: Peter’s repentance, Linus’s discretion, and Francis’s rejection of papal pomp reflect a shared commitment to servant-leadership. Francis’s choice of the name “Francis,” inspired by the humble St. Francis of Assisi, underscores this continuity.
- Adaptability: Each early pope navigated unique challenges—persecution, cultural diversity, and internal disputes. Francis similarly addresses modern issues like climate change, migration, and secularism, adapting the Church’s message without compromising its core teachings.
- Pastoral Care: Clement’s epistle and Anacletus’s community-building efforts highlight a focus on pastoral care, mirrored in Francis’s emphasis on accompanying people in their struggles, as seen in his outreach to the poor and marginalized.
- Unity: The early popes worked to unify diverse Christian communities, a mission Francis pursues through synodality and interfaith dialogue, fostering collaboration in a divided world.
- Resilience: Despite persecution, the first five popes persevered. Francis, facing criticism from within and outside the Church, remains steadfast in his vision of a merciful, inclusive faith.
Pope Francis’s Unique Context
While the first five popes faced Roman emperors and localized Christian communities, Francis leads a global Church of 1.4 billion Catholics in an era of instant communication and cultural upheaval. His papacy, beginning in 2013, has been marked by bold gestures—critiquing capitalism’s excesses, advocating for environmental stewardship, and engaging with non-Catholics in unprecedented ways. Yet, like his early predecessors, Francis remains rooted in the Gospel’s call to love and serve.
Francis’s similarities to the first five popes are not mere historical parallels but a reflection of the papacy’s enduring mission. His reforms, like those of Evaristus and Linus, aim to make the Church more effective and transparent. His writings, like Clement’s, balance authority with compassion. His outreach, like Anacletus’s, builds bridges across divides. And his humility, like Peter’s, grounds his leadership in human relatability.
Conclusion
The first five popes—Peter, Linus, Anacletus, Clement I, and Evaristus—were pioneers who shaped Christianity’s early identity. Their courage, humility, and pastoral focus laid a foundation that has endured for two millennia. Pope Francis, while operating in a vastly different context, carries forward their legacy. His emphasis on mercy, inclusivity, and reform echoes the priorities of these early leaders, proving that the heart of the papacy remains unchanged: to guide the faithful with love, wisdom, and fidelity to Christ’s teachings. As the Church navigates the challenges of the 21st century, Francis’s leadership reflects the timeless qualities of his earliest predecessors, ensuring the papacy’s relevance in a rapidly changing world.