The 2nd Pope.
Claudia was a daughter of a British King, Caractacus, who was brought to Rome by Aulus Plautius, a Roman General, as prisoners of Rome after the King’s defeat. The emperor granted them freedom and Claudia married a Roman Senator, Aulus Pudens or also known as “Herculanus”. She is noted in Saint Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
Linus was born to Claudia and Herculanus in Volterrae, a walled mountaintop town in the Tuscany region of Italy, around 10 AD. Because of his father’s prestige, he was most likely raised as a nobleman.
He happened upon hearing the Apostle Peter preach, and subsequently was baptized and received into the Catholic Church. He then became a co-worker with Paul, and through his dedication in serving Christ, was made a priest and bishop. He had traveled with Paul and remained with him to his death. He had also assisted Peter in his papacy.
After Christ’s Church was established in Rome, with the authority given to them, Peter and Paul had elected Linus as the next leader. He appears in Timothy 4:21, which describes the Holy Apostles handing over the leadership of the Church to him. After the crucifixion of Peter, he continued the leadership of the Church in 67 AD, during the time of Nero and was there when Nero set fire to the great city.
In a letter directed to the Oriental churches, Linus told how Peter’s body was taken from the cross by Marcellus, bathed in milk and wine, and embalmed with precious spices.
As the next Bishop of the Church of Rome, he was responsible for overseeing a new and emerging Church. Though Peter had established some of the policies, Linus shaped the Church for the future Popes.
He was the 1st to allow women to attend, but asked that they cover their head to meet the wishes of Saint Peter of which he faced opposition from others outside of Rome. Other popes would later ask the same.
He also appointed the first 15 Bishops and installed 18 priests during his papacy which lasted 12 years, 4 months, and 12 days according to the Liberian Catalogue.
Linus is listed as a martyr along with Peter having died on September 23, 76 AD. In 1615, workers discovered a tomb in Saint Peter’s Basilica that had the letters LINVS engraved across the top.
His name is included in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
His successor as Pope was Anacletus, who was also known as Cletus.
He was canonized during the early days of the Church and before the establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. He continues to be revered as a significant figure in the history of Christ’s Church. His faithfulness and dedication to the teachings of Jesus serve as an inspiration for believers throughout the ages.
His feast day is September 23.
For God’s Glory.
