St. Peter was born in Bethsaida in Galilee. His original name was Simon. St. Peter was a fisherman and spent his days on the water, catching fish. One day, he left his work and family behind to follow Jesus. Simon was given a new name, Kepha. In Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus and His Apostles, it means rock. The English form of that name is Peter. Jesus made St. Peter the rock on which He would build His Church. The Gospels talk about St. Peter more than any of the Apostles. Jesus loved him very much. He became the leader of the Apostles and after the Resurrection did much to spread Christianity. St. Peter eventually became the first Pope of the Catholic Church. He is normally shown holding keys in his hands, representing his role as leader of the Church.