Saint John Lateran

Basilicas of Rome

The basilica of Lateran is the cathedral of the Pope as a bishop of Rome. It was set up by Constantin towards 320.The Basilica of Lateran is the oldest church of Rome (Saint Peter will be built 10 years afterwards). It is the mother of all the churches.

In theIVth century, to the end of persecutions, the mother of the Constantin emperor gave to Melchiade, the bishop of Rome, successor of saint Peter, a part of the property of her family, Laterani, to be established there. Since, the church which there built remained the cathedral of Rome, despite everything the rehandlings which she underwent. Even if, after his "exile" in Avignon the pope preferred to settle close to St-Peter because of the fortifications which surrounded this district and offered a more secure protection to him, the basilica remains "mother and mistress of all the churches".

Photos of basilica San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome