You are Peter

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.  Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MT 16: 17-19)

Our Church, founded by Jesus, is built on one person, on Peter, the rock: “upon this rock I will build my Church,” not because he was the most holy person in the world or perfectly talented to keep “the keys to the Kingdom of heaven,” but because He was chosen by Our Lord. He gives him not only “the keys” but also His personal friendship. The role of the Pope is to protect the Church—“the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” and bind and loose—“whatever he loosens on earth shall be loosened in heaven.” But the most important part of Peter’s role is not only to lead the Church but also to protect the doctrine of Apostolic succession.

“You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.” (Gospel Acclamation)