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Saint Peter is considered the first pope and the first Bishop of Rome. The name "Peter" comes from the Latin "Petrus", or "Rock", the name given to Simon by Jesus in Matthew: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16: 18-19)Interestingly, Peter still ranks as the longest-serving pope, a span of more than 30 years, from the death of Christ in 33 AD until his martyrdom in Rome around 64 (or 67) AD. Saint Peter has been depicted on many stamps from Vatican City—here is a sampling of some of those stamps: 
 First Airmail Issue (Scott C1 and C5, 1938) 
 Jesus Giving St. Peter the Keys to Heaven Holy Year of 1950 Issue (Scott 132 and 136, 1949) 
 Saint Peter Giving Alms to the Poor World Refugee Year Issue (Scott 276 and 279, 1960) 
 Martyrdom Saints Peter and Paul Issue (Scott 448 and 450, 1967)  Christ and Saint Peter Pope John Paul II Inauguration Issue (Scott 647, 1979)  Martyrdom of Saint Peter Michelangelo 450th Anniversary of Death Issue (Scott 1577, 2014) |
