What is known about Pope St. Linus?

A:

Pope St. Linus is traditionally listed as the second pope, following St Peter. John Chrysostom (347-407) stated, "This Linus, some say, was second Bishop of the Church of Rome after Peter."

The Catholic Encyclopedia states, "We cannot be positive whether this identification of the pope as being the Linus mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:21 goes back to an ancient and reliable source." The Church's caution on this is warranted, as most New Testament scholars say 2 Timothy was written in Paul's name, in the first half of the second century and therefore long after Pope Linus might have lived.

Francis A. Sullivan SJ (From Apostles to Bishops) says that most scholars are of the opinion that, in spite of Church tradition, the early church of Rome was led by a group of presbyters, and that bishops were not appointed to the church in Rome until later in the second century. In other Words, there can have been no Pope Linus, although it is conceivable there was a presbyter of than name. Linus became regarded as a former pope much later, by tradition alone.