When did Pope Saint Cletus live?

A:

The Catholic Church believes that Saint Cletus (also known as Anacletus or Anencletus) was pope from about 79 to 92 CE, although those dates are uncertain. There is no tradition as to when he was born. In fact,we can not even be sure whether a person of that name ever lived, in spite of Catholic tradition.

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 Cletus (Anacletus or Anencletus), although it is possible there was a presbyter of than name.