“Your patron, St. Irenaeus of Lyon –—whom I will soon declare a doctor of the Church with the title, ‘doctor unitatis’ (‘doctor of unity’) — came from the East, exercised his episcopal ministry in the West, and was a great spiritual and theological bridge between Eastern and Western Christians,” Pope Francis told the St. Irenaeus Joint Orthodox-Catholic Working Group on October 7.

In a 2007 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI offered an overview of St. Irenaeus’ life and teaching There are currently 36 doctors of the Church; St. Irenaeus (c. 140-c. 203) will become the earliest doctor chronologically.