The First African Pontiff

Victor was the first African Pope of the Church of Rome. During his pontificate, Emperor Commodus suspended the persecutions against Christians and met with the Pope. On that occasion, Victor presented him with a list of Christians who had been condemned to forced labor in the mines of Sardinia. Commodus ordered their release, marking the first time the Roman Empire officially negotiated with the Church and the Bishop of Rome (in the year 190).