Although I totally reject papal authority, why is it so important that Peter be the 1st pope in Rome? What was so special about Rome at that time other than population?
Couldn’t he have been pope in Jerusalem where Christianity came to fruition? Is not God Lord over all?
The thing about Rome is that all roads led to it, and consequently all roads led from it.
It was the heart of the civilised world as they knew it, to convert there meant to convert everywhere. Which is what finally happened.
Apostles Peter and Paul went straight for the heart of the beast.
“We read the lives of the Caesars: At Rome Nero was the first who stained with blood the rising blood. Then is Peter girt by another (an allusion to John 21:18), when he is made fast to the cross.” Tertullian, Scorpiace, 15:3 (A.D. 212).
“Peter…at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer this way.” Origen, Third Commentary on Genesis, (A.D. 232).
“Thus Peter, the first of the Apostles, having been often apprehended, and thrown into prison, and treated with igominy, was last of all crucified at Rome.” Peter of Alexandria, The Canonical Epistle, Canon 9 (A.D. 306).
“Which Peter and Paul preached at Rome…” Lactantius, The Divine Institutes, 4:21 (A.D. 310).
“This man Simon Magus, after he had been cast out by the Apostles, came to Rome…Peter and Paul, a noble pair, chief rulers of the Church, arrived and set the error right…For Peter was there, who carrieth the keys of heaven…” Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures ,6:14-15 (c. A.D. 350).