Evidence that Linus Succeeded Peter as Pope?

St. Peter’s successor is not named in the Bible, but it’s clear from biblical analysis and other history that Peter’s office was one of succession. Indeed, Judas had an apostolic successor (Acts 1:12-20), so how much more important was it that Peter, the leader of the apostles, have one?

In addition, various early Church Fathers note that St. Linus was Peter’s successor. For example, St. Irenaeus and Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea provide testimony:

The blessed apostles [Peter and Paul], having founded and built up the church [of Rome] . . . handed over the office of the episcopate to Linus (St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3:3:3 [A.D. 189]).

Paul testifies that Crescens was sent to Gaul [cf. 2 Tim. 4:10], but Linus, whom he mentions in the second epistle to Timothy [cf. 2 Tim. 4:21] as his companion at Rome, was Peter’s successor in the episcopate of the Church there, as has already been shown. Clement also, who was appointed third bishop of the Church at Rome, was, as Paul testifies, his co-laborer and fellow-soldier [cf. Phil. 4:3] (Eusebius of Caesarea Church History 3:4:9–10 [A.D. 312]).

For more on this subject, please see our presentation on “Peter’s Successors,” as well as this article by Catholic Answer Founder Karl Keating on Peter and his earliest successors.