To read about the first 20 popes, click here.

In the first stage, we found Popes who focused on promoting the administrative and operational structuring of the Church. In the work of the following Popes, this ecclesial structuring continues but under the constant oppression of certain Roman emperors. Despite this, we see some Popes overcoming the situation, managing to save not only the theological aspect but also the administrative one, making it clear that bishops must unite under one Church. Various heresies began to spread from all sides, and the Popes responded accordingly.

23. Stephen I [254-257] Continuing the work of [22], this Pope focused on combating common heresies of the time, taking advantage of the lull in persecution by the emperors during his papacy. In the years prior, bishops Basilides and Martial had purchased penitence. An appeal process was initiated, and they were ultimately expelled at the Council of Bishops of Hispania. He had many disagreements with Cyprian of Carthage (constructive ones), and to assert his opinion against the Novatianism movement, he is documented as the first Pope to use the verse Matthew 16:18, which says And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it; however, several bishops rejected this, arguing that all shared in the succession of Peter. Although it was Victor [14] who made decisions from Rome, this Pope used a modern monarchical structure to assert his rulings. After this event, the modern use of Pope became more aligned to Roman priesthood. 24. Sixtus II [257-258] Here, persecution resumed, this time under Valerian. This Pope is remembered for literally dying during a liturgical celebration. After him, Saint Lawrence met the same fate, but this time by being burned to death on a grill. 25. Dionysius [259-268] A good priest, a good Pope, who reorganized churches across the empire despite the ongoing persecution and the martyrdom of his predecessor. In the theological field, he took on the task of combating tritheism¹, which was popular in his time as a consequence of Sabellian teachings. 26. Felix I [269-274] He took advantage of the pause in Christian persecution by Emperor Aurelian to hold masses. He is credited with being one of the Popes who paid the most attention to the work of martyrs. He also fought the heresy of Paul of Samosata² through the institution of churches and constant preaching. 27. Eutychius [275-283] I didn’t find anything interesting to share. 28. Caius [283-296] This Pope is credited with developing the theological school, where during his pontificate, one could not become a bishop without first having been an ostiarius > lector > acolyte > exorcist > subdeacon > deacon > bishop. 29. Marcellinus [296-304] Persecution returned, and so did the deaths. This time much more brutal, as Galerius issued an edict confiscating the properties of all Christians, expelling them from the army, and desecrating and destroying temples and writings. The Donatists launched a...disinformation campaign against this Pope, accusing him of handing over sacred books to the Romans, a claim that was refuted by Augustine of Hippo. He died a martyr. 30. Marcellus I [308-309] The persecution was at its peak, but this Pope didn’t care and, like a true Chad, began to reorganize the Church administratively, leaving behind an enviable structure. He had encounters with the lapsis³ and upheld the thesis of his predecessors that, to be readmitted, they had to go through a process of penance, which cost him his papacy, as he died in exile by Roman orders. 31. Eusebius [309-310] His papacy was short, approximately four months. He dedicated this time to combating all known heresies mentioned above.

The next era of Popes begins with the end of the persecution, so stay tight we'll continue in the next chapter...