The bishop of Rome is, according the doctrine of Petrine authority, the successor of Rome’s first bishop, St. Peter. The pope is therefore considered to be the shepherd of all Christians and representative (vicar or vicegerent) of Christ. The claim of Petrine supremacy and (by virtue of Peter’s connection to Rome) Roman supremacy, is based on Matthew 16:18–19: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.” Papal supremacy is not acknowledged outside the Roman Catholic Church.
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