Simon Peter was the brother of Andrew, a fisherman of Bethsaida. Jesus called him to be the first of the Twelve Apostles and renamed him Peter (Cephas, 'rock'), telling him: 'Upon this rock I will build my Church' (Matthew 16:18). After Pentecost he led the apostolic community, was the first bishop of Rome, and was martyred there during the persecution of Nero around AD 64. His tomb lies beneath the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica.

06-29

• the papacy
• fishermen
• Rome

canonized

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