In this thread.....
Catholic Biblical Apologetics: Bishop of Rome
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2482796/posts
“Peter’s presence in Rome in indicated in his first letter. The name “Babylon” is used here as a cryptic name for the city of Rome, a characteristic of writings done during times of persecution. During Peter’s time (witnessed by his own martyrdom) and most New Testament times (witness the Book of Revelation—classic persecution literature), Rome took on the characteristics of the most outstanding example of a world power hostile to God—ancient Babylon. “
“The name “Babylon” is used here as a cryptic name for the city of Rome”
cryptic mean code - so you do need your protestant SSDR Secret Scripture Decoder Ring to get it right.
AMDG