What is the connection between the Pope and Saint Peter?

Answer 1

St Peter was assigned by Jesus the task of "feeding His sheep". and is thus assigned by the Western Catholic Church as the 1st earthly head of THE church. After the split between in the western and eastern churches, The western church used Peter's ministry and death in Rome to establish Rome as (in their view) The seat of THE Church. The ArchBishop of Rome became the 1st Pope and whoever holds that seat is now considered The Pope (in unbroken succession). This ignores: The Orthodox tradition of and eldership of area Archbishops, The protestant rejection of any "earthly" head of THE church, and the entire Roman Catholic record of multiple popes, "political" appointments, etc.

Answer 2

A:

The association with Saint Peter arises from a Christian tradition that says 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. Neverthless, this link is maintained as factual in Catholic Church teachings, because without it the legitimacy of the pope could be questioned.

Answer 3

Saint Peter was the first pope and is the patron saint of popes.