Peter had a special role among the Apostles while following Jesus. The Bible lists him first among the others and he accompanies Jesus during the most significant events.
Jesus designated Peter as the leader, gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and named him “the rock” on which He would build his Church.
Today St. Peter still speaks to the Catholic Church through his successor, the pope, who is the Vicar of Christ.
The pope is the Bishop of Rome and head of state who represents the Holy See. He occupies the Chair of St. Peter and leads the Catholic Church.
On March 13, 2013 Pope Francis became the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church.
Jesus established his Church with structure and authority:
The pope is the central point of the Church’s leadership:
With the power and the authority without which such an office would be illusory, the Bishop of Rome must ensure the communion of all the Churches. For this reason, he is the first servant of unity. This primacy is exercised on various levels, including vigilance over the handing down of the Word, the celebration of the Liturgy and the Sacraments, the Church’s mission, discipline and the Christian life.
Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, May 25, 1995
Jesus reestablished the kingdom and made Peter the prime minister:
Jesus gave Simon a new name for a new mission:
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”
Matthew 16: 16-19
Peter was the first Bishop of Rome:
Each bishop has authority with the Bishop of Rome having primacy:
The Lord made Simon alone, whom he named Peter, the “rock” of his Church. He gave him the keys of his Church and instituted him shepherd of the whole flock. “The office of binding and loosing which was given to Peter was also assigned to the college of Apostles united to its head.” This pastoral office of Peter and the other Apostles belongs to the Church’s very foundation and is continued by the bishops under the primacy of the Pope.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 881
The pope is elected by the College of Cardinals:
The election of the pope is guided by the Holy Spirit:
Popes have chosen a new name since 533 AD:
The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of the Catholic Church
This is my Church:
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