Sts. Peter and Paul Panegyric: Pillars and Protectors of Rome

Panegyric on Saints Peter and Paul: Pillars and Protectors of Rome

Rome, the city of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is the Seat of the Church of Christ!, chosen by emperors and by the will of Heaven; crowned with laurel and with the palm of martyrdom. Rome was consecrated and sanctified by the blood of the holy apostles— Peter and Paul, the twin pillars upon which the universal Church stands!

Peter, the Fisherman, to whom the keys of the Kingdom were entrusted—rock immovable, foundation of faith! Paul, the Apostle of the nations, fire of the Word, whose sword divides truth from error! These two, joined by divine commission, labored, suffered, and triumphed in Her, eternal Rome, sealing their testimony with their blood, that She, the Church of Rome, might reign forever in the Spirit of Christ.

From the day their voices fell silent in martyrdom, their presence has never left the walls of Rome. They dwell more gloriously now, on invisible thrones set above Her altars, vigilant sentinels of Her fate. Where Caesar once ruled by force, Peter now reigns by faith in Jesus Christ; where legions once trampled, Paul now strides with the gospel of Christ. Through the long centuries of trial—barbarian, plague, heresy, fire, sword—their intercession has sustained Her, Rome, The Mother of Churches!

Remember that most radiant moment, when Attila the Hun, the barbarian threat, attacked Rome like the wrath of the devil. What was Rome's hope then? Her armies scattered, her palaces trembling—but her shepherd, Saint Leo the Great, went out to meet the enemy and stood firm. He met the tyrant, not alone, but borne up by the prayers of the Church and the guardianship of the two apostolic princes, the pillars of Rome.

As Saint Leo spoke with meek majesty, the eyes of Attila saw a frightful sight: he saw Saint Peter and Saint Paul, clothed in heavenly armor, swords drawn, faces aflame with the justice of God, flanking the Supreme Pontiff as protectors of the fold. Leo’s words, and the silent powerful presence of the Apostles, turned the enemy back. The Pope, Saint Leo the Great, saved Rome—not by gold, nor by treaties, nor by the force of arms—but by the intercession of her holy patrons, Peter and Paul.

Her heavenly patrons have thus always labored for the eternal City, the See of Peter, for the successor of Saint Peter, and for the apostolic succession of the Church. Every Pontiff who sits upon Peter’s throne is flanked by the defending care of Saint Peter and Paul; every danger faced by the Church is borne beneath their mighty protection. They who once walked Rome’s streets in humility, and there shed their blood for the Church, they now reign over Her with power from heaven, guardians of the truth, correctors of error, friends of peace.

With joy and trembling hope, we honor Saints Peter and Paul—apostles of the past, heavenly princes of the present. We stand proudly on the Rock of Peter and heed the voice that speaks from his Chair, the voice of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, for he speaks in the name of Saint Peter, the Vicar of Christ, God Himself. As long as Peter holds the keys of right judgment, and Paul holds the sword of truth, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul!

O Holy Apostles, pillars of the Church and protectors of Rome, defend your Church today, the Church of Rome, in our Roman Pontiff Pope Leo XIV and every Pope, until Christ returns in glory!