—St. Hilary of Poitiers: Commentary on St. Matthew, 16, 7.
“But you say that the Church was founded upon Peter: although elsewhere the same is attributed to all the apostles, and they all receive the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the strength of the church depends on them all alike, yet one among the twelve is chosen so that when a head has been appointed, there may be no occasion for schism.”
—St. Jerome: Against Jovinianus, 1.
“It is not without reason that, among all the apostles, it is Peter who represents the Catholic Church. For the keys of the kingdom of heaven were given to Peter. And when it was said to him, it was said to all: ‘Lovest thou me? Feed My sheep.’”
—St. Augustine: De Agone Christiano, 30, 32.
St. Peter, by Andrea di Vanni d'Andrea.
Tempera on panel, 1390s;
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Tempera on panel, 1390s;
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.