The religious persecution in Rome under the Roman emperor Gallus, and the subsequent exile of Saint Cornelius led to his martyrdom in June, AD253. In the same month, Pope Lucius I was elected to succeed Saint Cornelius and became the twenty-second Pope of the Holy Catholic Church.

Pope Lucius was born in Rome in AD205. He assisted his successors, Saint Fabian and Saint Cornelius.

Click here to view our visual series on “The Pontiff”

Pope Lucius I was at the helm of the Church only for a very short time.

As soon as Pope Lucius I was elected, Emperor Gallus exiled him, as he did with Saint Cornelius. The emperor was under the pretence that banishing their leaders would weaken the Christian faithful in Rome and thus contain the spread of Christianity. He also considered exile as a punishment.

However, a great miracle happened in the case of Pope Lucius. After some time in exile, he was allowed to return to Rome and assume leadership of the Church.

Pope Lucius I followed the same policies of Pope Cornelius to counter the teachings of the anti-pope Novatian and his followers. Church Father Saint Cyprian stated that the work of Pope Lucius in confronting Novation and his studies is commendable.

Pope Lucius I passed away just a few months into his papacy on 5th June AD254.
-edit&transl. SM

Click here to read other articles in this series