Every year, on June 29, Rome celebrates the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul or Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, a liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The celebration is of ancient origin, the date selected being the anniversary either of their death or of the translation of their relics.
St Peter was indeed one of Jesus Christ’s apostles who spent most of his life preaching the Christian gospel after Jesus’ death. He died by crucifixion and is regarded as the Catholic church’s first pope. St Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus shortly after Jesus Christ’s death. He became a leader in the Christian church. He was beheaded during the Roman emperor Nero’s persecution of the Christians.
On this day, the pope places the pallium (a type of woolen cloak) on archbishops that were appointed over the past year. It serves as a reminder of religious significance of the bishops’ work and symbolizes the unity of the church.
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