<P> Hermannus Contractus may have been the first historian to number the popes continuously . His list ends in 1049 with Pope Leo IX as number 154 . Several changes were made to the list during the 20th century . Antipope Christopher was considered legitimate for a long time . Pope - elect Stephen was considered legitimate under the name Stephen II until the 1961 edition, when his name was erased . Although these changes are no longer controversial, a number of modern lists still include this "first Pope Stephen II". It is probable that this is because they are based on the 1913 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia, which is in the public domain . </P> <P> A significant number of these popes have been recognized as saints, including 48 out of the first 50 consecutive popes, and others are in the sainthood process . Of the first 31 popes, 28 died as martyrs (see List of murdered popes). </P> <Table> Popes of the 1st century <Tr> <Th> Pontiff number </Th> <Th> Pontificate </Th> <Th> Portrait </Th> <Th> Name: English Latin </Th> <Th> Personal name </Th> <Th> Place of birth </Th> <Th> Age at start / end of papacy </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 1 April 30--29 June 67 (7004136030000000000 ♠ 37 years, 89 days) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> St Peter PETRUS </Td> <Td> Šimʻōn Kêpâ (Simon Peter) </Td> <Td> AD 1 Bethsaida, Galilea, Roman Empire </Td> <Td> 29 / 66 </Td> <Td> Jew . Apostle of Jesus from whom he received the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, according to Matthew 16: 18--19 . Executed by crucifixion upside - down; feast day (Feast of Saints Peter and Paul) 29 June, (Chair of Saint Peter) 22 February . He is recognized by the Catholic Church as the first Bishop of Rome appointed by Christ . Also revered as saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 29 June . The St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is named after him . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 29 June 67--23 September 76 (7003337400000000000 ♠ 9 years, 86 days) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> St Linus Papa LINUS </Td> <Td> Linus (Lin) </Td> <Td> 10 AD Volterra, Italia, Roman Empire </Td> <Td> 57 / 66 </Td> <Td> First Roman pope . Feast day 23 September . Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 7 June . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 23 September 76--26 April 88 (7003423300000000000 ♠ 11 years, 216 days) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> St Anacletus (Cletus) Papa ANACLETUS (Cletus) </Td> <Td> Anákletos (Klétos) (Anaclet or Clet) </Td> <Td> 25 AD Athens, Greece, Roman Empire </Td> <Td> 51 / 63 </Td> <Td> First Greek pope . Martyred; feast day 26 April . Once erroneously split into Cletus and Anacletus . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 26 April 88--23 November 99 (7003422800000000000 ♠ 11 years, 211 days) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> St Clement I Papa CLEMENS </Td> <Td> Clemens (Clement) </Td> <Td> ca . 35 AD Rome, Roman Empire </Td> <Td> 53 / 64 († 66) </Td> <Td> Roman . Feast day 23 November . Issued 1 Clement which is said to be the basis of apostolic authority for the clergy . Also revered as a saint in Eastern Christianity, with a feast day of 25 November . First Pope to abdicate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> 23 November 99--27 October 105 (7003216400000000000 ♠ 5 years, 338 days) </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> St Evaristus Papa EVARISTUS </Td> <Td> Eváristos (Evarist) </Td> <Td> ca . 30 AD Bethlehem, Judea, Roman Empire </Td> <Td> 69 / 75 </Td> <Td> Jew . Said to have divided Rome into parishes, assigning a priest to each . Feast day of 26 October . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Pontiff number </Th> <Th> Pontificate </Th> <Th> Portrait </Th> <Th> Name: English Latin </Th> <Th> Personal name </Th> <Th> Place of birth </Th> <Th> Age at start / end of papacy </Th> <Th> Notes </Th> </Tr>

Who is considered to be the first pope