| Cathedral of Rome | |
|---|---|
| Major Papal, Patriarchal and Roman Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World | |
 Façade of the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior at the Lateran | |
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| 41°53′09″N 12°30′22″E / 41.885905555556°N 12.506155555556°E | |
| Location | Rome[a] |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Latin Church |
| Website | Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran |
| History | |
| Status | Papal major basilica, Cathedral |
| Dedication | Christ the Savior (primary) Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist (secondary) |
| Consecrated | AD 324 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Alessandro Galilei |
| Architectural type | Cathedral |
| Style | Baroque, Neoclassical |
| Groundbreaking | AD 4th century |
| Completed | 1735 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 140 metres (460 ft) |
| Width | 73 metres (240 ft) |
| Nave width | 65 metres (213 ft) |
| Materials | Marble, granite, and cement |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Rome |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Pope Francis |
| Archpriest | Baldassare Reina |
| Official name | Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii, iv, vi |
| Designated | 1980 (4th session) |
| Reference no. | 91 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (officially, the Major Papal, Patriarchal and Roman Archbasilica, Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World, and commonly known as the Lateran Basilica or Saint John Lateran)[c] is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome, and serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome, the pope. The only "archbasilica" in the world, it lies outside of Vatican City proper, which is located approximately four kilometres (2+1⁄2 miles) northwest. Nevertheless, as properties of the Holy See, the archbasilica and its adjoining edifices enjoy an extraterritorial status from Italy, pursuant to the terms of the Lateran Treaty of 1929.[a] Dedicated to the Christ, in honor of John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the place name, Laterano (Lateran) comes from an ancient Roman family (gens), whose palace (domus) grounds occupied the site; the adjacent Lateran Palace was the primary residence of the pope until the Middle Ages.
The church is the oldest and highest ranking of the four major papal basilicas as well as one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. Founded in 324, it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world.[1] It houses the cathedra of the Roman bishop,[2][3] and has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Catholic faithful. The building deteriorated during the Middle Ages and was badly damaged by two fires in the 14th century. It was rebuilt in the late 16th century during the reign of Pope Sixtus V. The new structure's interior was renovated in the late 17th century, and its façade was completed in 1735 under Pope Clement XII.
The most recent Rector is currently Cardinal Archpriest Baldassare Reina, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome[4] since October 6, 2024. The president of the French Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, is ex officio the "First and Only Honorary Canon" of the archbasilica, a title that the heads of state of France have possessed since King Henry IV.
The large Latin inscription on the façade reads: Clemens XII Pont Max Anno V Christo Salvatori In Hon SS Ioan Bapt et Evang. This abbreviated inscription translates as: "The Supreme Pontiff Clement XII, in the fifth year [of his Pontificate, dedicated this building] to Christ the Savior, in honor of Saints John the Baptist and [John] the Evangelist".[5] The inscription indicates, with its full title (see below), that the archbasilica was originally dedicated to Christ the Savior and, centuries later, rededicated in honor of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Christ the Savior remains its primary dedication, and its titular feast day is 6 August, the Transfiguration of Christ. As the cathedral of the pope as bishop of Rome, it ranks superior to all other churches of the Catholic Church, including Saint Peter's Basilica.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).
- ^ "San Giovanni in Laterano". Giubileo 2000. Santa Sede – vatican.va.
- ^ "Papal basilicas". vatican.va. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
NoPatriarchwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
DioceseofRomewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Landsford, Tyler (2009). The Latin Inscriptions of Rome: A Walking Guide. JHU Press. p. 236. ISBN 9780801891496. Retrieved 21 October 2014.