Peter (pope)
? – 64 Galilean Jew Apostle; first Pope (traditional, to c.64)
The apostle whom Catholic tradition counts as the first pope.
- Religion
- Catholic; Bishop of Rome
- Affiliations
- The papacy
Catholic tradition names Peter, one of the twelve apostles, as the first Bishop of Rome and the rock on which Jesus built the Church. The office of pope claims descent from him, an idea drawn from the Gospel line, You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. Tradition says he was martyred in Rome under Nero around the year 64 and buried on Vatican Hill, where St. Peter's Basilica now stands.