In the earliest succession lists of bishops of Rome he follows Linus, second in the line inaugurated by the Apostles Peter and Paul. Later convention reckons him the third pope from St Peter. His actual functions and responsibilities can only be surmised, for the monarchical, or one-man, episcopate had not yet emerged in Rome. His name, correctly given as Anencletus, is a Greek adjective meaning 'blameless'; the fact that St Paul required a bishop to be 'blameless' (Tit. 1: 7) has needlessly caused some to doubt his existence. The term was a not uncommon name for a slave, and this may give a clue to his social origins. Later lists, such as the 4th-century Liberian Catalogue and LP, mistakenly distinguish two popes, Cletus and Anacletus, but Cletus was merely a shortened form of the full name. He is commemorated, as Cletus, in the ancient canon of the mass. Eusebius states that he died in the twelfth year of Emperor Domitian's reign (81 — 96). In view of his name there may be substance in LP's report that he was a Greek in origin; but the tradition that he appointed 25 presbyters for Rome, erected a monument over St Peter's burial place, and himself died a martyr is without foundation. While his existence and leading position need not be doubted, the fact that the monarchical episcopate had not yet emerged at Rome makes it impossible to form any clear conception of his role. His feast is commemorated, under the name Cletus, on 26 Apr.
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