Peter and the Pope

Today the church celebrates the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, representing the primacy and leadership of the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and successor of St Peter, the first Pope. This leadership is symbolized by the symbolic chair which is situated behind the main altar at the St Peter’s Basilica, a work of art by Bernini. Above the chair is a stained glass window of the Holy Spirit, and below the chair are statues also by Bernini of the four Fathers of the Church, St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius.  Each Cathedral in the world also has a cathedra, or chair of the Bishop, Archbishop or Cardinal that serves in that particular Diocese. 

The last photo here is a mosaic of the moment when Jesus empowered Peter to become the first Pope, also symbolized by the keys he is holding in his hands. This mosaic is on the outside, at the entrance to the steps that lead to the top of the cupola of St. Peter’s in Rome.