Every February 22, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter. Did you know about this celebration? What is its meaning?
On this date, the Church does not simply commemorate a material object, but a spiritual and visible reality at the same time: the authority that Jesus Christ entrusted to the apostle Peter and, in him, to his legitimate successors. The Lord, the Good Shepherd, chose to govern his Church through a visible vicar, particularly assisted by the Holy Spirit, to confirm his brothers in the faith and safeguard unity.
The word “chair” comes from the Greek kathedra and the Latin cathedra, and literally means “seat” or “throne.” It was the place from which an authorized teacher taught. In the ecclesiastical context, the chair symbolizes the doctrinal and pastoral authority of the bishop; therefore, the principal church of a diocese is called a cathedral: it is the temple that houses the bishop’s chair.
By celebrating the Chair of Saint Peter, the Church honors the singular mission of the Roman Pontiff as the visible principle and foundation of the unity of faith and the universal communion of the faithful. It is, ultimately, a feast that invites us to renew our filial adherence to the Successor of Peter and to give thanks to God for the gift of the Petrine ministry in the Church.
What is the meaning of the Chair of Saint Peter?
Catholic doctrine on the Chair of Saint Peter is based on the conviction that Christ gave Peter the keys of the Kingdom, granting him a special preeminence among the apostles and establishing him as the rock upon which the Church is built.
The Primacy of Peter in the Bible
Jesus, in the region of Caesarea Philippi, asks his disciples what people were saying about who he was.
And I say to you: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven .” (Mt 16:18-19)
Peter’s confession earned a great reward, for, through the work of the Holy Spirit, he was able to recognize Jesus as the Son of God. Christ promises him that upon this confession of faith he will build his Church, since many will believe in the same thing that Peter has proclaimed.
The Lord blesses his words and establishes him as shepherd of his flock. By changing Simon’s name to Peter—which means “rock”—he establishes an admirable foundation for the solidity of the Church, worthy of being built upon this rock. The keys, for their part, symbolize the spiritual authority entrusted to him.
At the Last Supper, Jesus reveals that he has prayed specifically for Peter’s faith:
I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. (Lk 22:32)
This prayer of Christ ensures the stability of the chair, not through the personal merits of the man who occupies it, but through the divine intercession that guarantees perseverance in the apostolic faith.
At Easter, the Lord entrusts Peter to “feed his sheep.” Therefore, the Pope is the visible guide of God’s flock on earth.
Apostolic Succession
The Church teaches that the mission entrusted by Christ to Peter continues throughout the centuries in the figure of the bishops of Rome. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium of the Second Vatican Council, the Pope is the successor of Peter and, as such, head of the Episcopal College. This hierarchical structure is not a later historical creation, but the expression of Christ’s will to give stability and unity to his mystical body.
The authority of the Pope, exercised from the chair, has as its ultimate purpose the salvation of souls and the full knowledge of truth. The Roman Pontiff possesses full, supreme, and universal authority, which he can always exercise with complete freedom for the good of the Church. This primacy is, in essence, a service: the Pope is the first to serve, bearing witness to Christ’s love to the end. The union of the faithful with the Pope is indispensable for being authentic witnesses of the Gospel, as Rome becomes the center of Christianity and a symbol of the universal unity of all the baptized.
What is the origin of the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter?
Originally, the Church celebrated Peter’s presence in two of the most important sees of antiquity: Antioch and Rome. On January 18, the Chair of Saint Peter in Rome was commemorated, recalling the moment when the apostle established his definitive see in the capital of the Empire. On February 22, the Chair of Saint Peter in Antioch was celebrated, the city where Peter resided and governed the Christian community before departing for the West. Antioch was the first great center of the Church from among the Gentiles, marking a milestone in the universality of the apostolic mission.
The choice of February 22 has roots in ancient Roman culture. In the last days of that month, the Romans celebrated the Parentalia, funeral rites in which they visited the tombs of their ancestors and placed an empty chair to symbolize their presence at family banquets. The early Christians of Rome adopted and transformed this custom to honor their “fathers in the faith,” especially Saint Peter at the Vatican and Saint Paul on the Via Ostiensis. Over time, this practice evolved into a celebration of the “see” as a symbol of the living teaching of the apostle, who remained among them through his successors.
With the purpose of simplifying the calendar and highlighting the unique theological significance of the Petrine ministry, Pope Paul VI unified both celebrations. Since then, the Church celebrates a single Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle on February 22. This unification underscores that, beyond the geographical location, what is honored is the office of Supreme Pastor of the Church conferred by Christ. The date of February 22 prevailed due to its historical antiquity, as it was already documented in the Chronograph of the year 354, the oldest liturgical calendar of the Roman see.
Plenary Indulgences
To gain a plenary indulgence—the total remission of temporal punishment for sins already forgiven—on February 22, the faithful must fulfill the following general conditions:
- Exclusion of all attachment to sin: Even venial sins.
- Sacramental Confession: Made a few days before or after the feast.
- Eucharistic Communion: Received preferably on the same day.
- Prayer for the intentions of the Roman Pontiff: Generally an Our Father and a Hail Mary.
- Prescribed work: Participate devoutly in a Holy Mass dedicated to the Chair of Saint Peter or solemnly recite the profession of faith before a representation of the apostle.
Prayer for the Supreme Pontiff
One of the most beautiful traditions linked to this feast is the recitation of the Oremus pro Pontífice (Let us pray for the Pope).
V. Let us pray for our Pontiff (N.).
R. May the Lord preserve him, give him life, and make him happy on earth.
V. You are Peter.
R. And on this rock I will build my Church.
Final Prayer
O God, shepherd and guide of all the faithful, look favorably upon your servant, whom you have chosen to be pastor and head of your Church; grant that by his example and word he may benefit those over whom he presides.
The Relic of the Chair of Saint Peter
It is an ancient wooden throne adorned with elements of great historical and archaeological value. The Church preserves this object as a symbol of the continuity of papal magisterium and the stability of the primacy throughout the various eras of history.
The monument reaches 14.74 meters in height and contains 74 tons of bronze. At its center, a large gilded bronze throne houses the original wooden relic. The back of the throne displays a relief of Christ entrusting the flock to Peter with the phrase “Pasce oves meas” (“Feed my sheep”). On the sides, bas-reliefs of the Delivery of the Keys and the Washing of the Feet can be seen, reminding us that authority in the Church is, above all, service.
The base of the throne is supported by four monumental figures nearly six meters tall representing the great Doctors of the Church: Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine for the Latin tradition, and Saint Athanasius and Saint John Chrysostom for the Greek tradition. This arrangement symbolizes that the Pope’s teaching rests on the solid theological tradition of East and West. Crowning the ensemble, a “Glory” of angels surrounds an alabaster stained-glass window with the dove of the Holy Spirit, whose natural light seems to descend upon the chair, a sign of the divine assistance that guides the Pope in his magisterium.
Every February 22, Bernini’s Chair of Saint Peter is specially illuminated with more than a hundred candles, creating an atmosphere of profound veneration. And the bronze statue of Saint Peter located at the entrance of the Basilica is dressed in papal vestments.
The feast is also a reminder that salvation cannot be achieved alone; being Christian means living in community and in communion with the universal Church.
The Chair is the visible center of this unity. By praying for the Pope, the faithful not only support a human leader, but strengthen the very foundation of their own faith.
The unity of particular Churches, with their diverse traditions, under the primacy of the Chair of Peter, is not an obstacle, but a stimulus for the unity desired by Christ.
Want to learn more? Here are some articles that may help you do so:
- Saint Peter: From Fisherman to First Pope: Can you imagine going from mending nets to being the principal apostle of a faith that would transform the world? Discover the story of Saint Peter.
- Prayer to Saint Peter and Saint Paul: Discover the story of these saints, pillars of the Church.
- Prayer for Pope Leo XIV: Pray for the health and intentions of the Pope.
- Pope Leo XIV: 9 Churches in His Life: An exclusive journey through the settings that shaped the life and vocation of Pope Leo XIV.
What is the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle?
The word “chair” simply means “seat” or “throne.” In the Church, it is the place from which a bishop or teacher teaches with authority.
What does the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle mean?
More than an object, it is a symbol of unity and teaching.
Does the Pope sit in the Chair of Saint Peter?
Physically, the original “chair” is a very ancient wooden relic kept inside an impressive bronze monument designed by the artist Bernini in the Vatican.
When is the Chair of Saint Peter celebrated?
It is celebrated every year on February 22. Formerly there were two different dates (one to remember Peter in the city of Antioch and another in Rome), but in 1969 the Church decided to unify them on this day to emphasize that the Pope’s authority is one for the whole world.
