Discussion of whether Peter was the first Pope and are his bones buried at the Vatican now?
Updated: May 12, 2025
Open Line on May 3, 2025 Hour 2 @2:45
Listener:
With the Pope being in passing, being placed over what they say, he was lying in State, above the St.Peters, who was supposedly the first Catholic Pope, his bones were buried and I found out that Peter never went to Rome at all and he was married. I don't think he started the Catholic Church. I was reading James, the half brother of Jesus, was actually the head of the Church in Jerusalem. Straighten this out for me, where were the bones and I don't think Peter became a Catholic.
Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnik:
Summary of the answer:
Acts 12 is where the transfer of leadership from Peter to James occurred. That's when Peter was released from Prison. Acts 12 tells of how the angels rescued Peter from prison and Acts 12:17 says report these things to James and the brothers. At the point in Acts 12 when Peter is ready to go travelling, James takes over from Peter.
1Peter 5:13 mentions that a lady from Babylon greets Peter. Some people think that Babylon is code for Rome and according to early church history, Peter did go to Rome.
According to MBI church historian Brian Litfin, in his book "After Acts", he makes the case that the bones of Apostle Peter is likely to have been buried in the Vatican.
Acts 12
17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place. -nkjv
17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. -kjv
17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brothers.” Then he left and went to another place. -nasb
17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place. -niv
1 Peter 5
13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
-nkjv
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. -kjv
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. -nasb
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. -niv
Correction:
There was a correction to the title and addition of an observation at the end of the summary.
Comments