He became the second Pope after St. Peter, leading the Church from approximately AD 67 until his death around AD 76. Early Church records indicate that Peter and Paul appointed Linus as the leader of the Christian community in Rome after they established the Church there. During his papacy, Linus is believed to have decreed that women should cover their heads when entering churches, a directive believed to align with the teachings of St. Peter and St. Paul. He is also mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Second Epistle to Timothy.

Despite being recognized as a martyr, the details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear, with some sources asserting that he was buried near St. Peter on Vatican Hill. His feast day is celebrated on September 23rd.