The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
The Vatican website explains that today’s feast highlights the Chair of Saint Peter (Cathedra Petri), symbolizing the mission Jesus entrusted to Peter. The cathedra, a fixed seat of the bishop, is placed in the mother church of a diocese, giving rise to the word “cathedral.” The feast commemorates Peter, martyred as bishop of Rome. The chair symbolizes a bishop’s authority to protect the flock and transmit the teaching of the gospel as successors of the apostles. Members are encouraged to pray for Pope Francis, the bishop of Rome, who occupies the chair of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral church of Rome. https://www.marquette.edu/faith/prayers-new-pope.php