St Callixtus was born in Rome in 217. St. Callixtus was a slave in the emperor’s court. He was put in charge of collected funds by his master Carpophorus, funds which were given as alms by other Christians for the care of the widows and orphans. Callixtus lost the funds and fled from the city. But he was caught and imprisoned. After being imprisoned for a long time, he was appointed Superintendent of the Christian Cemetery, now known as ‘Callixtus Underground’. Pope Zephyrinus ordained him a deacon and appointed him a patron. After the pope’s death, Callixtus was elected as the Pope by the people and clergy of Rome.
He spearheaded efforts to excavate four famous underground caves on the Appian Way in Rome. About two lakh martyrs were buried here. His leadership qualities, as well as his generosity and compassion for the poor and sinners, earned him the respect of the pope. He faced many crises with patience and foresight.
It was during this time that the first anti-pope (rebellious pope) emerged in the Church. Hippolytus was elected as the rival bishop of Rome, the first Antipope. He had a large following in the community. Together in Rome they condemned the election of Pope Callixtus as invalid and instead proclaimed Hippolytus as the new pope. Pope Callixtus faced this situation peacefully. He did not dare to hate or punish them. He treated them with brotherly love.
The Pope revived some of the immature and perverted practices and remedies that existed at the time. He commanded that even adulterers who sincerely repent should not be denied forgiveness. The slave, who grew up out of the grassroots of society, later became a pope and, like his predecessors, was martyred. The Pope was beaten to death with clubs. The corpse was thrown into the Tiber River. Callixtus was buried in the cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way. The Catholic Church celebrated his optional memorial on 14 October. His relics were transferred in the 9th century to Santa Maria in Trastevere.