St. Cornelius
St. Cornelius (born, Rome [Italy]—died 253, Centumcellae; feast day September 16) was the pope from 251 to 253.
Cornelius was a Roman priest who was elected pope during the lull in the persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius and after the papacy had been vacant for more than a year following St. Fabian’s martyrdom. Cornelius’s pontificate was complicated by a schism, one cause of which was the self-appointment of the Roman priest Novatian as antipope (the second in papal history); the other cause was the dispute over the church’s attitude toward Christian apostates. Cornelius was supported by St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, and many African and Eastern bishops.
When Christian persecution resumed in 253, Cornelius was exiled to Centumcellae, where he died from either hardships or decapitation. Several of his letters, including some to Cyprian, survive. His feast day is kept with Cyprian’s. He was succeeded by St. Lucius I.
