Who was the first pope?

St. Peter the Apostle was the first pope. Christ himself chose Peter as the rock upon whom he would build his Church and gave him the keys of the kingdom of heaven, establishing him as chief shepherd of the universal Church and head of the Apostles (Matthew 16:18-19). Peter went on to lead the Church in Rome, where he was martyred, making him the first Bishop of Rome and pope.

Christ's Choice of Peter

The office of pope traces directly to Jesus Christ's own words to Simon, whom he renamed Peter, meaning "rock." In Matthew 16:18-19, Christ declares, "Thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church... And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." This unique commission set Peter apart from the other Apostles as the visible foundation and steward of Christ's Church on earth.

After his Resurrection, Jesus reaffirmed Peter's pastoral authority by charging him three times, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17), entrusting him with the care of the whole flock. Peter's leadership among the Apostles is likewise evident throughout the Acts of the Apostles, where he speaks first at Pentecost (Acts 2:14) and presides over the early Church's decisions, such as at the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:7-11).

Peter as Bishop of Rome

Sacred Tradition and the early Church Fathers consistently affirm that Peter traveled to Rome, served as its first bishop, and was martyred there under Emperor Nero, likely crucified around A.D. 64-67. His burial site beneath what is now St. Peter's Basilica has been venerated since the earliest centuries and is supported by archaeological findings beneath the high altar.

Because the pope is the Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, every pope since has inherited this Petrine ministry. The Church teaches that the pope, as successor of Peter, enjoys full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, which he can always exercise freely, in fidelity to Christ's mandate (CCC 882).

The Meaning of the Papal Office

The Catechism explains that the Roman Pontiff, as Peter's successor, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of unity for both the bishops and the whole company of the faithful (CCC 882). This teaching flows directly from Christ's promise to Peter and safeguards the unity and continuity of apostolic teaching throughout history (CCC 880-881).

Catholics hold that this line of succession, beginning with Peter and continuing unbroken to the present pope, is a providential gift ensuring that the Church remains anchored to the faith once entrusted to the Apostles.