Does the Bishop of Rome continue Peter's mission?

Answer 1

A:

The Catholic Church considers the pope to continue the work and mission of Peter because Christian tradition says that Peter went to Rome and became the first bishop of Rome, appointing Linus as his successor, with subsequent bishops appointed continuously down to the present day. This continuous succession from an appointment made by Peter himself was important to the church of Rome in claiming primacy over all other Christian bishops. However, Francis A. Sullivan SJ (From Apostles to Bishops) says that there is a general agreement among scholars that the church of Rome was led by a council of presbyters until well into the second century, with no evidence of a ruling bishop. It is therefore no longer possible to say that the pope is literally the successor of Saint Peter, nor that he uniquely continues the work of Saint Peter, whether or not he actually visited Rome.