St. Peter was considered the first Pope because of Christ's charge to him: "Thou are Peter and on you I found my church". Peter is shown here in papal ceremonial dress, with the triple-crowned tiara signifying his spiritual and temporal authority. This crown and the clasp of his stole, or cope, would have originally been encrusted with jewels. St. Peter blesses with his right hand, and would once have held keys in his left hand, recalling that Christ gave him "the keys to the kingdom of heaven." This imposing sculpture would have asserted papal authority and primacy by making clear the connections between St. Peter and the Pope.

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