Digital Continent Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul 2016 | Page 20

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establish an infant hierarchy and affirmed the special role and clout of St. Peter, handed down to
those who held the See of Rome.24 On the anniversary of his consecration he preached on the
various obligations of his office where authority was based on the Apostle Peter. The power that
came through him was handed on to the other apostles and lived on in the See of St. Peter. Peter
was mediator between the apostles and Christ and this extended to his successors.25 Leo the
Great clarified, however, that the heirs of Peter were undeserving. Correctly elected they
possessed the legal authority of Peter’s office but not his particular excellence. The authority of
the pope was described by Leo as a fullness of power as the ultimate earthly judge, who was in
turn judged by God alone.26

24

Whitney, “The Earlier Growth of Papal Jurisdiction,” 4.

25

Ibid., 9.

26

Cushing, 56-57.