Pope Celestine I

Common questions

Who was Pope Celestine I?

Pope Celestine I (376–432) — Bishop of Rome 422-432. Backed Cyril of Alexandria against Nestorius and sent legates to Ephesus (431); reportedly sent Palladius to Ireland (431).

Who did Pope Celestine I correspond with?

Cyril of Alexandria.

Who did Pope Celestine I succeed as bishop of Rome?

Pope Innocent I.

Who succeeded Pope Celestine I as bishop of Rome?

Pope Leo I.

Sources for biography

• Liber Pontificalis 45 primary
• Prosper of Aquitaine, Chronicon (s.a. 431) primary
• Acta Concilii Ephesini (431) primary

documented connections(1)

• corresponded Cyril of Alexandria
  Celestine commissioned Cyril to act on his behalf against Nestorius.
  Acta Concilii Ephesini (431); letters of Celestine to Cyril

tradition connections(3)

• knew of (incoming) Patrick of Ireland
  Patrick's mission is traditionally connected to Celestine's earlier sending of Palladius.
  Prosper of Aquitaine, Chronicon (s.a. 431)
• succeeded in see (incoming) Pope Leo I
  Leo became Bishop of Rome (440) following Sixtus III, who succeeded Celestine. Not a direct succession; relationship compresses an intervening pontificate. Source is the Liber Pontificalis, redacted in the 6th c.
  Liber Pontificalis 45-47
• succeeded in see Pope Innocent I
  Celestine became Bishop of Rome (422) following Boniface, who succeeded Zosimus, who succeeded Innocent — not a direct succession. Source is the Liber Pontificalis, redacted in the 6th c.
  Liber Pontificalis 42-45