# Pope Felix I

_Pope and bishop of Rome from 269 to 274_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/pope-felix-i
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Pope Felix I (died 30 December 274) was the bishop of Rome from 5 January 269 to his death on 30 December 274. Born in Rome, he succeeded Pope Dionysius and is noted for his theological contributions, particularly a significant dogmatic letter addressing the unity of Christ’s person. During his papacy, Felix I confronted the heresy of Paul of Samosata, who denied the divinity of Christ. The intervention of Emperor Aurelian, prompted by Felix, led to Paul’s deposition from the bishopric of Antioch, reinforcing orthodox Christological doctrine.

## Quick facts

- **Place of birth:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687#P19))
- **Died:** 30 December 274 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687#P570))
- **Place of death:** Rome ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687#P20))
- **Occupation:** Catholic priest ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687#P106))
- **Positions held:** Pope (5 January 269 – 30 December 274) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687#P39))

## About

Felix is traditionally credited with instituting the practice of celebrating Mass over the tombs of martyrs, though this attribution remains a subject of historical debate. Upon his death, Felix was interred in the Catacomb of Callixtus on the Appian Way. While later accounts mistakenly honored him as a martyr, contemporary scholarship suggests he died of natural causes.

## Questions

**What positions has Pope Felix I held?**  
Positions held by Pope Felix I include: Pope (0269–0274).

## Related

- [Pope Telesphorus](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-telesphorus)
- [Pope Gregory XIII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-gregory-xiii)
- [Pope Clement VII](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-clement-vii)
- [Pope Pius I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-pius-i)
- [Pope Boniface I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-boniface-i)
- [Pope Agapetus I](https://diginpl.com/people/pope-agapetus-i)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Pope Felix I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Felix_I) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q134687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q134687) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Pope Felix I.jpg by Artaud de Montor (1772–1849) (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pope_Felix_I.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Pope Felix I, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Pope Felix I.jpg — Artaud de Montor (1772–1849), Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Pope Felix I". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-felix-i. Retrieved 6 November 2026.