TheKeys of Heaven, also calledSaint Peter's keys, refers to the metaphorical keys of the office ofSaint Peter, the keys ofHeaven, or thekeys of the kingdom of Heaven. It is explicitly referenced in the Bible inMatthew 16:19.

According to Catholic teaching,^[1]Jesus promised the keys to heaven toSaint Peter, empowering him to take binding actions.^[2] In theGospel of Matthew 16:19,^[3] Jesus says to Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in heaven." Saint Peter is often depicted inCatholic,Eastern Orthodox, andOriental Orthodox paintings and other artwork as holding a key or a set of keys.

The keys of heaven or keys of Saint Peter are seen as a symbol ofpapal authority and are seen onpapal coats of arms (those of individualpopes) and those of theHoly See andVatican City State: "Behold he [Peter] received thekeys of thekingdom of heaven, the power ofbinding and loosing is committed to him, the care of thewhole Church and its government is given to him".^[4]

Bible verses associated with Peter^[5][6] and his position of authority include:

• Isaiah 22:20–23;
• Matthew 10:2;
• Matthew 16:18–19;
• Luke 22:32;
• John 21:17;
• Acts 2:14;
• Acts 10:46; and
• Galatians 1:18.

Bible verses associated with the transfer of powers from pope to pope include:

• Acts 1:20; 6:6; 13:3; 8:18; 9:17;
• 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:22;
• 2 Timothy 1:6

• Coat of arms of the Holy See
• Keys of the kingdom
• Papal regalia and insignia
• Power of the Keys
• Primacy of Peter

• Joyce, George Hayward (1910)."Power of the Keys" . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 8. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• Knecht, Friedrich Justus (1910)."Jesus promises Peter the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven." .A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture. B. Herder.
• Catholic Answers Magazine: Peter's Authority
• Catechism of the Catholic Church (Paragraphs 880–883)

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