Gospel (Mt 16,13-19) - At that time, Jesus, having arrived in the region of Caesarea Philippi, asked his disciples: "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?". They replied: "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or some of the prophets." He said to them: "But who do you say that I am?". Simon Peter replied: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him: «Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to you: you are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church and the powers of hell will not prevail over it. To you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

The liturgy invites us to commemorate and celebrate the "ministry of Peter". The apostolic foundation of the Church of Rome is underlined on the one hand and on the other the service of presidency in charity, that is, a unique charism that lives again in the successors of Peter. The Gospel we read, with the three symbols it recalls - the rock, the keys and the binding and loosing - shows that Peter's charism is a ministry for all humanity. We know well how healthy this ministry of unity that the Bishop of Rome is called to exercise is for the Church. Today it is even more so. In a globalized world, with pressures towards fragmentation, the Pope represents a unique treasure to be cherished, protected and shown. This primacy does not arise from "flesh and blood", it is not a question of personal and human qualities, it is a gift of the Spirit of God to his Church. And Pope Francis' testimony is particularly eloquent in this time of disorientation and uncertainty. The rock was indicated by Jesus himself, when he gathered his disciples in a secluded place. He asked them what people thought of him, but not out of curiosity. Jesus needs his disciples to be in tune with him, to have a "common feeling" with him. And here is Peter who speaks on behalf of everyone and responds by confessing faith in Jesus on behalf of the Twelve. And he receives the blessedness. This house will remain strong against the "powers of the underworld", which in Semitic language means the forces of evil that will try to overthrow it. Pietro has the keys to this building. The house of God is not closed, it has doors and Peter has the keys. The Gospel speaks of the house that begins now on earth and Peter receives the keys from now on. As well as the power to "bind and loose", which in rabbinic language means the responsibility in the home to weave bonds of brotherhood between everyone.