Born at Rome into a pagan family, Pontius converted to Christianity, giving away his property and preaching the Gospel.

[1] He was martyred at Cemenelum (modern-day Cimiez, now part of Nice) in the south of France in the year 257 under the Emperor Valerian.

A local tradition explains that Pontius came to Barcelona and, seeing so much poverty and disease among the people, began to prepare potions with healing herbs.

Saint Pontius (Catalan: Sant Ponç; Spanish: San Ponce) thus became patron of herbalists and beekeepers.

In Catalonia, his feast day occurs on May 11, when revelers sell honey, aromatic and medicinal herbs and candied fruits.