13 August - Pontien is the 18th Bishop of Rome. Of Roman origin and the son of a man named Calpurnius, he occupied the episcopal see of St. Peter for five years, two months and 22 days.

The only historical facts attested to are the synod he convened in Rome in 231 to approve the condemnation of Origen by Demetrius, Bishop of Alexandria. Pontien had to face the schism of Hippolit of Rome, which began under Calixtus I, to which the philosopher reproached his "laxity" towards the repentant.

The accession to the throne of Emperor Maximin the Thracian in March 235 marked the beginning of a new persecution against Christians: Pontien and Hippolite - his opponent and antipope - were deported to Sardinia to work as convicts in salt mines. Pontien renounced his episcopal see on 28 September 235 to allow the election of a new bishop. It is probable that Ippolitus renounced his challenge at the same time. Indeed, the two men seem to have been reconciled during their joint deportation. The common martyrdom reconciled them.

Pontien died shortly after October 29 or 30, 235, probably from ill-treatment. Fabien, one of his successors, had his body repatriated from Sardinia, where he was exiled, as well as that of Hippolytus in 236 or 237. He was buried on the same day as Hippolytus on 13 August 236 in the catacomb of St. Calixte.