Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 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. ~Matthew 16:17–19

Saint Peter's Basilica contains a large alabaster window that depicts the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, located on the back wall of the apse. Below the window sits an ancient wooden chair believed to have been used by Saint Peter. In the seventeenth century, the famous artist Bernini encased the chair in bronze and placed it above the altar in the apse.

Two of them represent the Eastern Church: Saint John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius. Two of them represent the Western Church: Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine. These great saints represent the universality of the Church, both East and West, as well as the unity of their theological teaching with the authority of the Bishop of Rome. Above the chair are two angels jointly holding the triple crown tiara used by the Bishop of Rome, symbolizing that he is the father of kings, governor of the world, and Vicar of Christ. In their other hands, each angel holds a key, symbolizing the authority of the Bishop of Rome in matters of faith and morals.

Today, the feast celebrates not only the precious relic of Saint Peter's chair but also the unique and universal authority it represents. The discourse between Jesus and His disciples in the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20 forms the basis, where Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was, and Simon responded that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Jesus then transformed Simon into Peter, the solid rock foundation on which the Church would be built and endure until the end of time. Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, giving him full, supreme, and universal authority to teach and govern in matters of faith and morals.

It is interesting to note that although Peter was chosen as the rock foundation for the Church, he was a man of weakness and fear who denied knowing Jesus three times. However, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter was more prepared for his mission and became the first bishop of Rome, where he died a martyr. The authority and singular mission of Saint Peter continue to this day, with the pope being his successor.

Vatican Councils I and II affirmed that when the pope speaks Ex Cathedra, he speaks with the authority of Saint Peter, with full, supreme, and universal authority to teach and govern in matters of faith and morals. This authority extends to all corners of the world, providing stability, longevity, certitude, and hope to the Church. The power of Christ and His divine love makes it possible for the Popes to shepherd the Church.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Margaret of Cortona
2. Saint Maximian of Ravenna
3. Saint Papias of Hierapolis
4. Saint John the Saxon
5. Saint Athanasius of Nicomedia