Tradition has it that St. Peter, passing through Naples on his way to Rome, met an elderly woman named Candida who was very ill. The apostle, in the name of Jesus Christ, cured her. After thanking him for the miraculous healing, the woman asked Peter to intercede for the healing of a friend of hers, Aspren (sometimes known in English as Asprenas), who was also ill.

Both Candida and Aspren, after being healed, converted to the faith and were baptized. Before St. Peter left for Rome, he left St. Aspren in charge of the church of Naples; he was the first bishop of the city and remained in office for 23 years. The staff with which Peter is said to have cured Aspren is preserved in the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro.