The Historicity and Significance of Peter\u27s Stay in Rome

However, the aim and purpose of this paper is not to present a biography or character sketch of this disciple of Christ, but to devote our attention to the latter years of his life, and more particularly to the question: Did Peter visit Rome during the evening hours of his earthly pilgrimage? We shall examine all the evidence at our disposal, meagre and controversial though it may be, and from this draw our deductions. Since, however, this question of Peter’s visit to Rome is the very corner-stone upon which the greatest Christian body on Earth” stands or falls, we shall enter upon a brief, but yet comprehensive, study of the significance of this alleged visit. Thus, this thesis will compromise: I) A careful investigation into the possibility and probability of a visit to the Roman capital by Peter; and II) If such a visit can be admitted, a polemic discussion of the alleged significance which the Roman Catholic Church attaches to this point