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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, holding the unique title of "archbasilica". Founded in 324, it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world. [1]
Basilica of St. John Lateran, the highest-ranking and oldest among the great papal basilicas of Rome as well as the oldest public church in Rome, having been consecrated in 324 CE by Pope Sylvester I. Though it is outside Vatican City proper, it nonetheless belongs to the Holy See.
Founded during the fourth century in honour of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, St John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the Cathedral of Rome and the most important of the four major basilicas.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the oldest basilica in the world and is the highest-ranking of the four papal basilicas in Rome – including St. Peter’s in the Vatican. It’s not only a place of historical importance, but it’s also beautiful to behold and an unmissable stop in your Roman itinerary.
The Basilica of St. John in Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) is the oldest of the four main basilicas of the Eternal City. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope.
Jun 15, 2022 · The Basilica of Saint John Lateran is one of the most important churches in the whole of Rome, not least because it is the seat of the Bishop of Rome (which is the Pope). It’s a religious building of much prominence, being the oldest and highest ranking of all major Papal basilicas.
Its historical and religious status has earned this major basilica the name of “archbasilica” – a title given to very few basilicas by the Catholic church. But, what is the Lateran basilica?
