Pope St. Pontian and St. Hippolytus

These two men are perhaps the unlikeliest pair to be celebrated together. Pontian was elected pope in the year of our Lord 230. He was among those who were in favor of lessening the penitential practices of the Church for pagan converts. He was opposed in this regard by Hippolytus, a priest who opposed this practice. However, both were arrested and condemned to the mines of Sardinia, considered a death sentence. Pontian resigned the papacy in order to allow the bishops to elect a successor. His resignation is the first papal resignation recorded. During their exile together they were reconciled. After their deaths, their bodies were brought back to Rome where they were buried separately. Both are regarded as martyrs and are remembered on August 13.