Papacy & the Church
Papal Primacy
Christ gave Peter a unique role as chief shepherd of the Church, an office that continues in the Bishop of Rome.
Catholic teaching
Peter received the keys of the kingdom and a singular commission to feed Christ's sheep, marking him as head of the apostolic college under Christ. The Bishop of Rome, as Peter's successor, exercises this Petrine ministry of unity for the whole Church.
Biblical foundation
Jesus renames Simon 'Rock' and promises to build his Church on him, giving him alone the keys of the kingdom, an image drawn from the royal steward of Isaiah 22. After the resurrection, Christ singles out Peter three times to shepherd his flock.
Scripture references
Historical evidence
St. Clement of Rome, the fourth pope, wrote to the church at Corinth around AD 96 to settle a dispute there, an early exercise of Roman authority accepted and preserved by the Corinthians themselves for generations.
The Church Fathers
“With this Church, because of its more powerful preeminence, every church must agree.”