The History of the Papacy
St. Peter (32-67) 1st Pope
He instituted the recitation of the Our Father
He was crucified upside down. Jn. 21:18 (“you will stretch your hands”)
His tomb is underneath present day St. Peter’s Cathedral
The Council of Jerusalem liberated Gentile converts’ circumcision and other Jewish traditions
The consumption of the Eucharist was strictly kept secret. Garbled accounts of this created stories that these Christians were cannibals.
St. Mark was Peter’s scribe and disciple
St. Linus (67-76) 2nd Pope
He created the first 15 bishops.
During his pontificate, the evangelists Luke and Mark were martyred.
His name is mentioned by St. Paul in 2 Timothy 4:21
When Peter went to Jerusalem to preside at the first council, Peter left Linus in Rome as his vicar.
Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed, severing the Church’s last connection with Jerusalem.
St. Cletus (76-88) 3rd Pope
He divided Rome into 25 parishes
He was a disciple of Peter
He designated a location on for the tombs of the Popes on Vatican Hill
He began the traditions of beginning papal letters with “Health and Apostolic Benediction.”
St. Clement I (88-97) 4th Pope
His name is mentioned in Phillipians 4:3
He instituted the use of “Amen” in religious ceremonies.
He instituted the notary public, recording the facts of the martyrdoms and persecutions.
His famous letter to the Church in Corinth sets for the doctrine of apostolic succession.
Russian Catholics, Rusian Orthodox, Ukranian Catholics, Ukranian Orthodox claim St. Clement I as their founder.
St. John, last of the Apostles, was still alive, when a schism in Corinth was resolved by St. Clement I
He restored the sacrament of confirmation according to the rite of St. Peter.
St. Anacletus (97) 5th Pope
He served as vicar to St. Clement I during his exile.
He ordered that a bishop should be consecrated by no less than three bishops.
He reigned as pope when John the Evangelist was brought to Rome to be tortured.
He further decorated the chapel by the tomb of St. Peter.