Anaclet

Anaclet, also known as Saint Anacletus or Anencletus, is traditionally recognized as the third Pope of Rome, succeeding Pope Linus and preceding Pope Clement I. Historical records concerning his pontificate are sparse, and the exact dates of his life and papacy are not definitively established, with most sources placing his reign sometime between the years 67 and 79 AD, or possibly later, extending into the early 2nd century.

According to the Liber Pontificalis, a collection of papal biographies, Anacletus was of Roman origin. He is credited with dividing Rome into parishes, assigning priests to specific districts, and also with ordaining twenty-five priests. The early Church historian Eusebius of Caesarea lists Anacletus as the third bishop of Rome. However, there is some debate among scholars regarding the precise number and order of the earliest Roman bishops, with some suggesting that Anacletus and his predecessor Linus might have been co-bishops or that the early papal lists are not entirely accurate.

The veneration of Saint Anacletus as a martyr is also a subject of scholarly discussion, as there is no definitive evidence from early Christian writings to support this claim. Nevertheless, he is consistently recognized as a Pope and a saint within Catholic tradition. His feast day is traditionally celebrated on April 26th.