Who was Saint Cletus?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church teaches that St. Cletus was the third bishop of Rome, succeeding Pope Linus in that role. In practice, we know nothing certain about Pope Cletus and can not even be sure whether a person of that name ever lived.

A Pope Anacletus has also been mentioned as an early bishop of Rome. The Catholic Encyclopedia says that whether Cletus was the same as Anacletus (also known as Anencletus) has been the subject of endless discussion.
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 neither Pope Cletus nor Anacletus, although it is conceivable there was a presbyter by one of these names.

For more information, please see A Brief History Of The Early Popes.

Answer 2

Pope Anacletus (Cletus) was the third leader of the Catholic Church, ruling from 76/79 to 92 AD. He is considered the third pope even though this term was not used until decades later. The structure of the leadership of the Catholic took a number of years to become established as Our Lord did not leave the Apostles with a blue print. Our Lord left them with only the Gospel and it was up to the Church to determine how it was to function to best serve the needs of the growing religion. However, there was always one person considered as the first among equals who we today call a pope.

Answer 3

Saint Cletus, also known as Pope Anacletus, was the third pope of the Catholic Church, serving from around 76 to 88 AD. He is believed to have been martyred for his faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Saint Cletus is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Answer 4

He was the Successor to St. Peter the Apostle.