The chief apostle of Jesus Christ, first pope of the Catholic Church — patron of the universal church and the papacy.
Simon (later renamed Peter by Jesus) was born in Bethsaida by the Sea of Galilee, a Jewish fisherman who worked the family business with his brother Andrew. He was married — Mark 1:30 records Jesus healing his mother-in-law. He was an early follower of John the Baptist and was brought to Jesus by Andrew, who declared 'We have found the Messiah' (John 1:41). Jesus immediately renamed Simon: 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (Aramaic for 'rock'; Greek: Petros — Peter). Throughout the Gospels, Peter is the most prominent of the twelve apostles: he is listed first in every list of the Twelve; he is the spokesman for the group in major moments; he is the one Jesus calls to walk on water; he is the only apostle Jesus addresses by name in the Gethsemane garden; and at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus declares: 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 16:18-19). This passage is the biblical foundation for Catholic claims of Peter's primacy and the institution of the papacy. Peter denied Jesus three times during the trial, then was restored after the resurrection in the famous threefold 'Do you love me?' exchange (John 21:15-19). Acts records Peter as the first preacher of the gospel after Pentecost (Acts 2), the leader of the early Jerusalem church, the one who opened the gospel to Gentiles (Acts 10), and the one who presided at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). Tradition records that he eventually went to Rome, served as bishop there, and was crucified upside down (at his own request — feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ) under Emperor Nero around 64-67 AD. His tomb is preserved beneath Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City — the largest church in Christendom — built directly over what archaeological evidence indicates is his burial place.
Acts records many of Peter's miracles: the healing of the man born lame at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-10); the raising of Tabitha (also called Dorcas) at Joppa (Acts 9:36-42); the supernatural release from prison by an angel (Acts 12:6-11); the death of Ananias and Sapphira after they lied to him (Acts 5:1-11); his shadow alone reportedly healed people as he passed (Acts 5:15). Peter's most famous miracle — and the most consequential one for church history — is the gift of tongues at Pentecost, when Peter, by the Holy Spirit's power, preached his first sermon and 3,000 people responded with baptism (Acts 2).
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:16).
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”Peter to Jesus when many disciples turned away (John 6:68).
“Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Peter's response to Jesus's third question 'Do you love me?' after the resurrection (John 21:17).
O Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles, who didst receive from our Lord Jesus Christ the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, with the power of binding and loosing, who didst weep bitterly for thy denial of Christ and didst receive the threefold confirmation of thy love, pray for us, that our faith fail not. Strengthen us as our shepherd. Obtain for us the grace of true repentance for our sins, faithfulness in our calling, and final perseverance in the love of Christ. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint Peter (c.1 BC-c.67 AD) was the chief apostle of Jesus Christ — a Galilean fisherman whom Jesus renamed 'Peter' (the Rock) and to whom Jesus gave the 'keys of the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 16:18-19). After the resurrection and Pentecost, he led the early Jerusalem church, opened the gospel to the Gentiles, and eventually went to Rome where he was crucified upside down under Emperor Nero around 64-67 AD. He is considered by Catholics to be the first pope.
Catholic teaching identifies Peter as the first pope based on Matthew 16:18-19, where Jesus declares: 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.' Catholic theology interprets 'this rock' as Peter himself and the 'keys' as the apostolic authority to govern the church. Peter eventually went to Rome, served as its bishop, and died there — making him the first in an unbroken line of bishops of Rome (popes) that continues today.
Tradition holds that Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero, sometime between 64 and 67 AD. The tradition further states that Peter asked to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. The site of his crucifixion is believed to be on Vatican Hill, and his body was buried at the spot where Saint Peter's Basilica now stands. Modern archaeological investigation under the basilica has confirmed an ancient tomb at the location with bones believed to be Peter's.
Saint Peter's principal feast day is June 29, shared with Saint Paul — the two great apostles. A second feast on February 22 (the Chair of Saint Peter) commemorates his role as the foundational bishop of Rome. June 29 is observed across Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant traditions, often with special services emphasizing the apostolic foundation of the church.