The apostle Peter has special significance for Roman Catholics because we believe that the responsibilities that Jesus entrusted to this "rock of faith" have been handed on to his successors, the popes. This Scripture From Scratch reviews the writings of the New Testament to help us understand the unique role of Peter in the early Church. "Fisherman, family man, spokesperson, first pope, Peter is 'rock' for the whole Church. From the first to the twenty-first century, he is an example of strong leadership and authority," writes Perkins.