What evidence supports the tradition that St. Peter lived in Rome?

The tradition that St. Peter lived and died in Rome is supported by several early Christian sources and historical interpretations, though it is not explicitly detailed in the New Testament.12

Key evidence includes:

• Literary References: The term "Babylon" in 1 Peter (5:13) is widely interpreted as a cryptic reference to Rome, consistent with usage in other early texts like Revelation.1
• Early Testimonies: The Letter to the Corinthians by St. Clement of Rome (c. 96 CE) provides perhaps the strongest early evidence, describing Peter’s suffering and martyrdom in a context that implies a Roman setting. Additionally, St. Ignatius of Antioch references the tradition in his own writings.1
• Archaeological and Site Traditions: By c. 200 CE, a tradition existed regarding a "trophy" or monument at the Vatican marking Peter’s burial or martyrdom site. This belief likely influenced the Emperor Constantine to construct a basilica on that specific, difficult-to-build location.1

While these traditions are widely accepted by many scholars, archaeological excavations beneath St. Peter’s Basilica have not definitively confirmed the location of his remains.1