A cursory glance at the research reveals that there were two figures bearing the name Marcellinus who both died in AD304, one a pope and the other a relatively unknown Christian, who would appear to be the companion of Peter (who himself was not the great Peter who was named the first Pope).
The Memorial observed today is in honor of the pair, not the pope, although I'm sure that the Holy Father wouldn't turn away our prayers either.
Pope Damasus provides the most authoritative information about Saint Marcellinus, a priest; and St. Peter, known as an exorcist. According to his testimony the martyrdom of these saints occurred during the Diocletian persecution. Damasus received this information from the executioner himself. They were beheaded in a grove, but their bodies were moved and buried in the cemetery Ad duis Lauros on the Via Labicana. Once peace had been restored, the Church built a basilica over their tombs.
Of course, there is also a Marcellinus who was a soldier, who lived in the fourth century, and there is record of yet another Marcellinus of Carthage, who was a friend of Saint Augustine and a correspondent of Saint Jerome's, but these latter two were doubtless named after the first one, for whom the Memorial observed today is set aside.
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