"You are Peter (Πετρος) and on this rock (πετρα) I will build my church."

Matthew 16:18

St. Peter (L. Keys) and St. Paul (R. Sword)

Nero's Circus Traditional Site of Peter's Execution in Rome

John 21:18-19

Very truly, I tell you[, Peter], when you were young, you used to fasten your own belt and go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not want to go.

[Jesus] said this to indicate the kind of death by which [Peter] would glorify God.

According to Tradition Peter was Crucified Upside Down

Michelangelo Merisi da Carravagio,

Painted 1601

Cut Away of Three Levels. From Papal Altar, St. Peter's Basilica and Levels Thereunder.

Level of the Current Basilica

Level of Grottos/Tombs of the PopesChapel of Peter and Paul

Level of the "Trophy"/Pre-ConstantinianNecropolis

Level of Grave of Peter

Model of the Original "Trophy" in First St. Peter's Basilica Built by Constantine

Chapel of Peter and Paul(Directly Beneath Papal Altar)

Bernini's Canopy

Over

Papal Altar

Papal Altar Over Chapel of Peter and Paul

You are Peter andon This Rock

I will build my Churchand the Gates of Hades

will not prevail against it.

I give to you the keys to the Kingdom of the

Heavens.And whatever you bind

on earth,will be bound in Heaven.And whatever you loose

on earth,will be loosed in Heaven.

Bronze Statue of St. PeterIn St. Peter's Basilica, The Vatican

By Touching orKissing his Toe

The Faithful Have Almost Rubbed It Off

The Body of Christ

The Church is Built On the Blood of the Martyrs

St. Peter, Crucified Upside

Down

St. Paul,Beheaded