According to Catholic belief, Peter was the first Bishop of Rome, who, by virtue of his position as successor of St. Peter, is the chief pastor of the whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth.[51] Although Peter never bore the title of “Pope”, the Catholic Church recognizes him as the first Pope.[52] Therefore, they consider every pope to be Peter’s successor and the rightful superior of all other bishops. They recognize him as head of the Catholic Church on Earth, Christ being its Heavenly head. They base this claim on the words of Jesus from two famous Petrine texts, John 21:15-17 which concludes with “Feed my sheep” and is seen by Catholics as promising the spiritual supremacy to Simon Peter and “by charging him with the superintendency of all his sheep, without exception; and consequently of his whole flock, that is, of his own church,”[51] and Matthew 16:17-20:
