St. Peter's Basilica in the heart of Vatican City is not only the largest of all the Christian Churches, it is also considered to be the "greatest of all churches of Christendom". It is regarded among Catholics to be the spot where St. Peter himself was entombed. He was given this honor because he was one of Christ's apostles and the first Bishop of Rome, making him the first in a long line of papacy.
Peter played a huge part in the formation of the Christian Church after the crucifixion of Christ. Peter made his way to Rome in 64 AD after 30 years of service as spiritual head of this new church. After a time, Peter was executed in an act of martyrdom by Emperor Nero, along with a large number of other supporters of Christ and the new Church. His execution was a crucifixion, but at Peter's request he was hung with his head down rather than up. Peter did not believe he was worthy to suffer the same death as did Christ.
Peter was buried on Vatican Hill close to the spot on which he was killed. His grave was marked by a single red rock, but years later a shrine was built over this spot. In the 4th century the original St. Peter's Basilica was constructed over the shrine with St. Peter's tomb just underneath the altar. Since then, other popes have been buried there, even after the present basilica was built in the 16th century.
Over time, many of these tombs and graves lost their markings. Important relics of the Church, including St. Peter's tomb, became the focus of an archeological search that began in 1939. Many discoveries were made over the years. Among them was a series of pagan mausoleums and several graves. The archeological team also came across a structure that was determined to be St. Peter's shrine. Bones of four men were also uncovered. One set of bones believed to be that of a man around 60 or 70 years of age was removed and locked away for safe keeping until such time that a more thorough study of them could be done.
Pope Pious XII wanted to let the world know of the discoveries that have been made beneath the basilica. In 1950 he did so, by announcing that Saint Peter's tomb had indeed been located. But he was cautious with his words and stated that while the tomb had been discovered, there was at that point no proof that the bones in it belonged to Saint Peter.
When Pope Paul VI was elected in 1963, as an old friend of the family of the archeologist studying the bones that were thought to be Peter's, he have permission for further study on the remains. In 1965 the archeologist wrote a book called The Remains of Saint Peter. This book was is what led the pope to announce from St. Peter's Basilica on June 25, 1968 that the remains of Peter had been discovered directly below the church from which he was speaking.
Peter played a huge part in the formation of the Christian Church after the crucifixion of Christ. Peter made his way to Rome in 64 AD after 30 years of service as spiritual head of this new church. After a time, Peter was executed in an act of martyrdom by Emperor Nero, along with a large number of other supporters of Christ and the new Church. His execution was a crucifixion, but at Peter's request he was hung with his head down rather than up. Peter did not believe he was worthy to suffer the same death as did Christ.
Peter was buried on Vatican Hill close to the spot on which he was killed. His grave was marked by a single red rock, but years later a shrine was built over this spot. In the 4th century the original St. Peter's Basilica was constructed over the shrine with St. Peter's tomb just underneath the altar. Since then, other popes have been buried there, even after the present basilica was built in the 16th century.
Over time, many of these tombs and graves lost their markings. Important relics of the Church, including St. Peter's tomb, became the focus of an archeological search that began in 1939. Many discoveries were made over the years. Among them was a series of pagan mausoleums and several graves. The archeological team also came across a structure that was determined to be St. Peter's shrine. Bones of four men were also uncovered. One set of bones believed to be that of a man around 60 or 70 years of age was removed and locked away for safe keeping until such time that a more thorough study of them could be done.
Pope Pious XII wanted to let the world know of the discoveries that have been made beneath the basilica. In 1950 he did so, by announcing that Saint Peter's tomb had indeed been located. But he was cautious with his words and stated that while the tomb had been discovered, there was at that point no proof that the bones in it belonged to Saint Peter.
When Pope Paul VI was elected in 1963, as an old friend of the family of the archeologist studying the bones that were thought to be Peter's, he have permission for further study on the remains. In 1965 the archeologist wrote a book called The Remains of Saint Peter. This book was is what led the pope to announce from St. Peter's Basilica on June 25, 1968 that the remains of Peter had been discovered directly below the church from which he was speaking.
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