Pope Stephen I succeeded Pope Lucius I as the 23rd pope of the Catholic Church during a time of considerable turmoil and doctrinal conflict. With the rise of Novatianism, a movement that emerged amidst the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, there was increasing contention over how the Church should treat those who had renounced their faith under duress, only to seek return to the community later. Novatianism, named after its founder Novatian, advocated for a strict position on apostasy, rejecting the readmission of lapsi (those who had fallen away) altogether. This presented a challenge to the more lenient approach that the majority of the Church, including Stephen I, supported.In response to this schismatic threat, Stephen I quickly articulated his vision for communion within the Church, emphasizing mercy and forgiveness over exclusion. His teachings reinforced the principle of the Church as a place for all sinners seeking redemption. This message not only aimed to combat the divisive nature of Novatianism but also sought to strengthen the Church's core message of hope and inclusivity. The efforts of Stephen I to unify the Christian community would echo throughout subsequent Church history, as his papacy laid foundational arguments for papal authority and pastoral care in dealing with matters of faith.The political implications were significant as well. The Church was beginning to establish itself as an influential entity within the Roman Empire. The stances taken by popes such as Stephen I would later contribute to the evolving authority of the papacy, ultimately resulting in a more unified Christian doctrine. His papacy coincided with the Rome's growing acceptance of Christianity, leading to shifts that would have long-lasting impacts on both the Church and the wider society across Europe.