Little is known about many of the popes of the second century. Several of them were martyrs. They had to deal with different heresies that made their way to Rome, and there was also a controversy over the correct date of Easter.

This episode covers popes #5-#14: Sts. Evaristus, Alexander I, Sixtus I, Telesphorus, Hyginus, Pius I, Anicetus, Soter, Eleutherius, and Victor I.

Article: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/ten-popes-second-century/

Way of the Fathers https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/category/way-fathers/

Way of the Fathers on St. Irenaeus of Lyons (an important source about the early popes) https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/irenaeus-lyon-putting-smack-down-on-heresy/

Catholic Culture Audiobooks https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/category/audiobooks/

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The first three popes after St. Peter likely knew the Prince of the Apostles personally and may even have been hand-selected by him. We know little of Sts. Linus and Cletus, but the first writing we possess by a pope after St. Peter himself is a precious letter by Pope St. Clement I to the Church of Corinth.

Article: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/popes-apostolic-era-lives-popes-2/

Audiobooks of Pope St. Clement's letters:

Letter to the Corinthians https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/st-clement-rome-letter-to-corinthians/

Apocryphal Second Letter https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/so-called-second-letter-st-clement/

More about St. Clement's Letter on Way of the Fathers https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/clement-rome-earliest-christian-author-after-apostles/

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One must beware a rabbit hole.

Article: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/lives-popes-part-one-infinity/

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