Saint Peter, one of the twelve Apostles and the first Bishop of Rome, is traditionally believed to have been crucified upside down. According to Christian tradition, Peter requested this form of crucifixion because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ

. This narrative first appears in apocryphal texts from the 2nd century, such as the Acts of Peter , and was popularized by early church fathers like Origen and Jerome. Jerome explained Peter's request as an act of humility, showing reverence for Christ by not dying in the same way

. Peter's crucifixion upside down has deep symbolic meaning, representing the inversion of worldly values and the call to repentance. It also signifies Peter's final message to the people, using his position on the cross as a form of teaching

. Historically, Peter's martyrdom likely took place in Rome under Emperor Nero during the persecution of Christians blamed for the Great Fire of Rome. The site of his crucifixion is traditionally identified as Vatican Hill, where he was buried and later venerated

. In summary, Saint Peter was crucified upside down by his own request, as a gesture of humility and symbolic teaching, making this one of the most enduring traditions about his martyrdom