Pope Felix and Pope Gregory

"E.M.B." (No. 26. p. 415.) inquires who was "Pope Felix," whom Ælfric called the "fifth father" of S. Gregory the Great? This is a much disputed question, and a great deal depends upon the meaning to be attached to the unsatisfactory expression "atavus," used by Pope Gregory himself, in *Evangel. Hom.* xxxviii. § 15., and found also in the dialogues commonly attributed to him. (Lib. iv. cap. xvi.) Your correspondent may consult Beda, *Hist. Eccl. Gen. Anglor.*, lib. ii. cap. 1., with the note by Mr. Stevenson, who supposes that Pope Felix *III.* was alluded to by his "venerable" author: This i…