Petrine supremacy is a doctrine that states the bishop of Rome (i.e. the Pope) holds supreme authority over the other bishops of the Roman Catholic Church. This assertion is grounded in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew 16:15-19. It is in these verses that Jesus gives "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" to Peter. Traditionally, Peter is seen as the first bishop of Rome, and this doctrine states his successors, the bishops of Rome, inherit this authority. By the end of the fourth century the bishops of Rome were using the title of papa or "father", which became the English word pope.

Pope Leo I was especially emphatic about expanding this concept of papal supremecy, portraying himself as the heir to Peter.

Holy See