Pope Pontian was the 18th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, serving from around 230 to 235 AD. He is known for his efforts to maintain church unity during a time of persecution and for addressing various theological issues. His papacy was marked by the challenges posed by the Roman Empire's policies against Christians. In 235 AD, Pope Pontian was exiled to the island of Sardinia during the reign of Emperor Maximinus Thrax. He eventually resigned from the papacy to allow for the election of a new pope while in exile. His legacy includes a commitment to the early Christian community and the promotion of church leadership.