Saint Linus was the second pope as believed historians. He served as Pope from around AD 67 to AD 76. Linus was said to have been a close associate of Saint Peter and was appointed by him as his successor. The history of the papacy is a story of continuity and succession, beginning with St. Peter, who is traditionally regarded as the first Pope. The question of who succeeded St. Peter as the second Pope is a crucial part of the history of the Catholic Church and the institution of the papacy.

St. Peter, also known as Simon Peter, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He is mentioned extensively in the New Testament, often as a prominent figure among the disciples. It is his declaration of faith in Jesus as "the Messiah, the Son of the living God" that led Jesus to say, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church" (Matthew 16:16-18).

This declaration is the foundation upon which the papacy is built, and it is why St. Peter is traditionally regarded as the first Pope. He is believed to have served as Bishop of Rome and guided the early Christian community in that capacity.

St. Peter's martyrdom, which is traditionally believed to have occurred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, left a vacancy in the leadership of the early Christian community. The question of who succeeded St. Peter is not as definitively recorded as his own role. However, it is traditionally believed that the second Pope was St. Linus.

St. Linus is considered the second Pope and is believed to have served as the Bishop of Rome from approximately 67 AD to 76 AD. His leadership marked the early stages of the development of the papal office and the authority of the Bishop of Rome within the Christian community.

The papacy has continued through the centuries, with each Pope serving as the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. The succession of the papacy from St. Peter to his successors has been a foundational element of the Catholic faith.

The concept of apostolic succession, the unbroken chain of leadership from the apostles to the present-day Pope, remains a fundamental principle in the Catholic Church. St. Peter and his successors have played a crucial role in guiding the Church through its long and complex history, making the papacy one of the oldest and most enduring institutions in the world.

The second Pope, St. Linus, was the beginning of a lineage of spiritual leaders that has stretched across two millennia. The papacy remains a symbol of faith, continuity, and the enduring legacy of St. Peter and his successors in leading the Catholic Church.