Which Pope founded the first church cemetery?

The correct choice identifies Pope John III as the founder of the first church cemetery, which reflects an important development in the history of Christian burial practices. During his papacy in the 6th century, the Roman Catholic Church began to officially recognize church property for the interment of the deceased, leading to the establishment of cemeteries adjacent to churches.

This initiative marked a shift in the way Christians approached burial, moving away from the previous custom of burying the dead outside city limits, which was common in Roman tradition. By establishing church cemeteries, Pope John III not only provided a sacred space for the community to honor their deceased but also reinforced the connection between the church and the spiritual well-being of the departed. This development encouraged the faithful to see burial within a church context as a link to the sacred and a symbol of hope for resurrection.

In contrast, the other mentioned popes played significant roles in the church's history but are not associated with the founding of the first church cemetery.