San Pedro Apostol, the leader of Christ's apostles, is rarely depicted
in Mexican retablos. As the first pope, Saint Peter was the
"...keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven..."(Matthew 16:19).
In art, he is always shown wearing long robes, holding a book and
keys. In the rare retablo art of Saint Peter, he is sometimes shown
with a kneeling man, whom Saint Peter assists into heaven.
Saint Peter is the patron of a happy death, and is invoked for the
freedom of prisoners and relief from fevers.