1st century
Feast: November 29
The fourth pope who wrote the earliest surviving papal letter addressing Church discipline and unity.
Clement I (died 99) served as the fourth Pope from around 88-99. He wrote the First Letter of Clement to the Corinthians around 96, addressing divisions in that church with apostolic authority. This letter is the earliest surviving document of papal intervention in local church affairs. Tradition holds he was personally ordained by Peter and died as a martyr. His letter shows early papal authority and concern for Church unity.