St. Lucius I

Lucius succeeded Cornelius in 253 and was almost immediately sent into exile by Emperor Gallus. He returned to Rome within months, possibly because Gallus was killed and the new emperor had other priorities. His pontificate lasted less than a year. Cyprian of Carthage wrote him a warm letter congratulating his return and praising him for standing firm. Lucius upheld the same merciful stance toward lapsed Christians that had defined his predecessor's papacy. He died in March 254. Later traditions call him a martyr, though the evidence is thin.