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Yes, relics of Peter, Paul and others were sent to Britain but they were not the entire bodies of the saints but only small fragments. Peter was not buried under the Vatican, the Basilica of St. Peter was built over his tomb. You have it backwards. Sending relics to other Church leaders or even governments was, and still is, a manner of improving relationships and sealing friendships.

The location of the tomb of Peter was a well guarded secret among the early Christians. The location was kept confidential for a good reason, Christianity was illegal in Rome and early Christians had to meet in secret. Had Roman authorities known the location and importance of Peter's tomb, it would have been obliterated. The same thing occurred with the True Cross of Our Lord. After the crucifixion, Jewish authorities buried Our Lord's cross, along with other items of the passion as well as the two crosses of the thieves in an abandoned quarry to prevent the items from becoming relics for veneration. Romans then built a temple over the quarry. However, the location was a well guarded secret until the arrival of St. Helena 300 years later. Using a bit of 'persuasion' she was able to learn the location from a Jewish leader and recover the precious items.

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8y ago
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8y ago

When Polycarp of Smyrna and Anicetus, bishop of Rome, disputed the date on which Easter should be celebrated, Polycarp had claimed to have known the Apostle John. In response Anicetus was able to find the very spot where the apostle Simon Peter had been buried in Rome and soon able to identify the place where Paul had been intered. This provided the link to the "Prince of Apostles" that Rome needed.

Friend (The Rise of Christianity) says, "Why it was only after nearly a century that the Roman Christians selected this spot as the burial place of Peter (and Paul) is a mystery." It remains a mystery, how after nearly a century the Roman Christians even knew this spot was the burial place of Peter.

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It appears both Paul and Peter were originally buried in Rome. Emperor Nero martyred Paul by beheading him circa 65-66 A.D. and then being buried on the Ostian Way and Peter shortly thereafter also in Rome circa 67-68 A.D. There are many pieces of ancient literature to also confirm that Simon Magus who masqueraded as Peter was also buried in Rome. Furthermore, there is a letter of Pope Vitalian's decision in 656 A.D. that the Church was not interested in the remains of the two Apostles and therefore, ordered them sent to Oswy, King of Britain. Here is an excerpt from the Pope's letter to the King, 'However, we have ordered the blessed gifts of the holy Martyrs, that is, the relics of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, and of the holy martyrs Laurentius, John, and Paul, and Gregory, and Pancratius, to be delivered to the bearers of these our letters, to be by them delivered to you (Bedes 'Ecclesiastical History,' bk. III, ch. 29). Just astounding that the bones or relics as this Pope called them would be sent from Rome to Britain - the new land of Israel!

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Q: Why was St. Peter buried under the Vatican?
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Where did St. Peter die and where was he buried?

Peter was crucified in Rome and was buried under what is now St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.


Where was Pope Benedict XV buried?

Benedict XV is buried in a tomb in the crypt under St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.


What is the necropolis of St. Peter?

St. Peter the Apostle is buried in a tomb under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican along with a number of other popes and saints.


Where is the patron saint of the Abbey of Saint Peter and Saint Paul buried?

This depends as you could be talking about either St. Peter or St. Paul, both of whom are believed to be buried in Rome. St. Peter, by tradition, is buried under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where the Holy Pontiff celebrates Solemn Mass, and St. Paul is said, as of only about a decade ago, to be buried under the main altar of St. Paul Outside the Walls, also in Rome.Sidenote- some may disagree that Rome, which I speak of as including Vatican City, is not actually Vatican City. This is true.


What is the burial place of Saint Peter?

Peter is buried in a tomb beneath the main altar of Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican,


Is Saint Peter buried in a Necropolis?

Yes, the tomb of Saint Peter is located in the Necropolis under Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Learn more about it at this link.


Where is St. Peter's grave?

Peter is buried under the sanctuary of the St. Peter's Basilica.


Where was St. Peter the Apostle buried?

According to tradition, St. Peter the Apostle was buried in Rome, specifically in a necropolis on Vatican Hill where St. Peter's Basilica now stands. His tomb was discovered in 1940 and confirmed by archaeological investigations in the following years.


What is the name of the large church in the Vatican City where the first pope was buried?

St. Peter's Basilica


Where is St. Peter buried?

The tomb of St. Peter is located below the main altar of the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City. The head of St. Peter, along with that of St. Paul, is located in the cathedral church of the pope - St. John Lateran.


Where is Saint Peter buried?

Saint Peter is buried under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Extensive studies by archeologists over many years have found what appear to be the remains of the saint there. A few months back the bones were presented to Pope Francis.


What is a famous church in Rome named after a saint?

.Catholic AnswerThere are many famous Churches in Rome named after various saints. Probably the most famous is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. St. Peter, himself, is buried under the high altar. If you go to the Vatican, you are able to take a tour, which will take you downstairs, and you can actually look on St. Peter's tomb. St. Paul is buried in St. Paul-Outside-the-Walls Basilica. St. John Lateran is the Pope's Cathedral Church.