ISB ~ John 21 v15

more than these?:Peter is challenged to live up to his own words, since earlier he declared that even if the other disciples should fall away from Christ, his commitment would never falter (Mt 26:33).

Feed my lambs:Jesus entrusts to Peter the task of shepherding his entire flock. This supreme leadership position over the Church gives him a unique share in the authority of Christ, who is still acknowledged by Peter as the “chief Shepherd” (1 Pet 5:4). It is important to recognize that no tension exists in the mind of Jesus between his own role as the “good shepherd” and the delegation of pastoral authority to Peter (Jn 10:11; CCC 553, 881).

• Vatican I declared that in this episode Christ made Peter the visible head and chief pastor over the universal Church (Pastor aeternus, chap. 1). See note on Mt 16:13-20.