Peter was the first Pope. He was the rock on which God built the church. He has the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. The other Popes took over for him. Or at least that is one interpritation of it.

This one debates it:
[link|http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/bible/rock.html|http://www.mountainr...t/bible/rock.html]


"And I say to thee. thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18


This one confirms it:
[link|http://www.cathinsight.com/apologetics/adventism/peter.htm|http://www.cathinsig...ventism/peter.htm]


And Jesus came into the quarters of Cesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the Son of man is? But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.


Peter was to take over for Jesus and preach his teachings. That much is clear to me. Peter did not become Jesus, nor did he get all of Jesus's powers or title, just a man representing Jesus on Earth until Jesus can return. That is my take on it based on bible verse.