Pope Anicetus (Greek: Ανίκητος) was the bishop of Rome from c. 157 to his death in April 168.

According to the Liber Pontificalis, Anicetus was a Syrian from the city of Emesa (modern-day Homs).

[4] According to Irenaeus, it was during his pontificate that the aged Polycarp of Smyrna, a disciple of John the Evangelist, visited Rome to discuss the celebration of Easter with Anicetus.

Polycarp and his Church of Smyrna celebrated the crucifixion on the fourteenth day of Nisan, which coincides with Pesach (or Passover) regardless of which day of the week upon this date fell, while the Roman Church celebrated Easter on Sunday—the weekday of Jesus's resurrection.

[4] According to church tradition, Anicetus suffered martyrdom during the reign of Emperor Lucius Verus, but there are no historical grounds for this account.