The North African Catholic popes and their legacies
acrylic detail of Pope Victor I from an illuminated manuscript
Catherine Heathwood, BBC World Service
North Africa was once the ‘Bible Belt’ of ancient Christianity, producing popes who left a lasting legacy on Catholicism. Here is the story of the three African popes, how they settled Easter and Valentine’s Day and why there hasn’t been one since.
Thought to be of Berber origin, Pope Victor I was in charge of the Catholic Church at a time when Christians were sometimes being persecuted by Roman officials for refusing to worship Roman gods. The “Easter controversy” was symbolic of larger conflicts between East and West, and whether or not Christians should follow Jewish practices.
Miltiades is believed to have been born in Africa. During his reign, Christianity gained increasing acceptance from successive Roman emperors, eventually becoming the Empire’s official religion. Victor I called the very first Roman Synod to resolve the impasse over Easter Sunday. Miltiades was the first pope to have an official residence, a palace given to him by Roman Emperor Constantine.
Gelasius I is widely recognised as the first pope to officially be called the “Vicar of Christ”, a term that signifies the Pope’s role as Christ’s representative on Earth. The Gelasius I legacy includes settling the Easter controversy and establishing St Valentine’s Day (he wanted to Christianise pagan love festivals).
No other popes are believed to have come from the Roman province of Africa. This is partly explained by the fall of the Roman Empire and the incursion of Muslims in the seventh century. Although Catholicism is expanding more rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa today than anywhere else, power within the Church remains in the north.
Catholics in Africa are hoping the papacy will return to the continent for the first time in more than 1,500 years as a successor to Pope Francis is chosen.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c787y082l47o
