Peter vs Rome

Catholics believe Matthew 16:16-19 is a reference to Rome. The text doesn't have Rome anywhere in it. It ,is solely about Peter and not about Rome.

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

There are a lot of reasons this is not speaking of Rome.

1. It says "thou" shalt bind, a personal pronoun referring to Peter himself. It does not say anything about transferring power to the Popes in Rome. There is no Bible support for transferring power to Rome.  It was a false oral tradition with no Apostolic support.

2. It says hell could not prevail against the Church, but Paul said Rome could fall and be cut-off. Thus the church world-wide was promised they would prevail, but not necessarily the local church in Rome. It could fall and be cut-off.

Rom 11:22  Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Rom 11:21  For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

We could also add that any church Peter visited could make the same claim as Rome.

Jerusalem

Caesarea

Antioch

etc

Peter visited them all.