Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

TheArchbasilica of Saint John Lateran(officially, theMajor 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 theLateran BasilicaorSaint John Lateran)is the Catholiccathedralof theDiocese of Romein the city ofRome,and serves as theseatof the bishop of Rome, thepope.The only "archbasilica "in the world, it lies outside ofVatican Cityproper, which is located approximatelyfour kilometres (2+1⁄2miles) northwest. Nevertheless, asproperties of the Holy See,the archbasilica and its adjoining edifices enjoy anextraterritorial statusfromItaly,pursuant to the terms of theLateran Treatyof 1929.Dedicated to theChrist,in honor ofJohn the BaptistandJohn the Evangelist,the place name,Laterano(Lateran) comes from an ancient Roman family (gens), whose palace (domus) grounds occupied the site; the adjacentLateran Palacewas the primary residence of the pope until the Middle Ages.

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″N12°30′22″E
Location	Rome
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 BaptistandSaint John the Evangelist(secondary)
Consecrated	AD 324
Architecture
Architect(s)	Alessandro Galilei
Architectural type	Cathedral
Style	Baroque,Neoclassical
Groundbreaking	AD 4th century
Completed	1735(1735)
Specifications
Length	140 metres (460 ft)
Width	73 metres (240 ft)
Navewidth	65 metres (213 ft)
Materials	Marble,granite,andcement
Administration
Diocese	Rome
Clergy
Bishop(s)	Pope Francis
Archpriest	Baldassare Reina
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	Historic Centre of Rome, theProperties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rightsand San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iii, iv, vi
Designated	1980(4thsession)
Reference no.	91
Region	Europe and North America

The church is the oldest and highest ranking of the fourmajor papal basilicasas well as one of theSeven Pilgrim Churches of Rome.Founded in 324, it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldestbasilicaof the Western world.It houses thecathedraof the Roman bishop,and has the title of ecumenicalmother churchof the Catholic faithful. The building deteriorated during theMiddle Agesand was badly damaged by two fires in the 14th century. It was rebuilt in the late 16th century during the reign of PopeSixtus V.The new structure's interior was renovated in the late 17th century, and its façade was completed in 1735 under PopeClement XII.

The most recent Rector is currentlyCardinalArchpriestBaldassare Reina,Vicar General for the Diocese of Romesince October 6, 2024. Thepresident of the French Republic,currentlyEmmanuel Macron,isex officiothe "First and Only HonoraryCanon"of the archbasilica, a title that the heads of state of France have possessed sinceKing Henry IV.

The large Latin inscription on thefaçadereads:Clemens XII Pont Max Anno V Christo Salvatori In Hon SS Ioan Bapt et Evang.This abbreviated inscription translates as: "The Supreme PontiffClement 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 ".The inscription indicates, with its full title (see below), that the archbasilica was originally dedicated toChrist the Saviorand, centuries later, rededicated in honor ofSaint John the BaptistandSaint John the Evangelist.Christ the Savior remains its primary dedication, and its titular feast day is 6 August, theTransfiguration of Christ.As the cathedral of the pope as bishop of Rome, it ranks superior to all other churches of the Catholic Church, includingSaint Peter's Basilica.

Name

Next to the formal entrance is the archbasilica's declaration to be the head, orMother Church,of the entire world. Note thelaurel wreathand thePapal tiara.

The archbasilica's Latin name isArchibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris ac Sancti Ioannis Baptistae et Ioannis Evangelistae ad Lateranum,which in English is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist at the Lateran, and in ItalianArcibasilica [Papale] del Santissimo Salvatore e Santi Giovanni Battista ed Evangelista in Laterano.

History

Lateran Palace

Main article:Lateran Palace

The archbasilica stands over the remains of theCastra Nova equitum singularium,the "New Fort of the Roman imperial cavalry bodyguards". The fort was established bySeptimius Severusin AD 193. Following the victory ofEmperor Constantine the GreatoverMaxentius(for whom theEquites singulares augusti,the emperor's mounted bodyguards had fought) at theBattle of the Milvian Bridge,the guard was abolished and the fort demolished. Substantial remains of the fort lie directly beneath thenave.

The remainder of the site was occupied during the earlyRoman Empireby thepalaceof thegensLaterani.Sextius Lateranuswas the firstplebeianto attain the rank ofconsul,and the Laterani served asadministratorsfor several emperors. One of the Laterani, Consul-designate Plautius Lateranus, became famous for being accused byNeroof conspiracy against the Emperor. The accusation resulted in the confiscation and redistribution of his properties.

TheLateran Palacefell into the hands of theEmperorwhenConstantine the Greatmarried his second wifeFausta,sister ofMaxentius.Known by that time as theDomus Faustaeor "House of Fausta", the Lateran Palace was eventually given to the Bishop of Rome by Constantine the Great during the pontificate ofPope Miltiades,in time to host asynodofbishopsin 313 that was convened to challenge the Donatistschism,declaringDonatismto beheresy.The palacebasilicawas converted and extended, becoming the residence ofPope Sylvester I,eventually becoming the Cathedral of Rome, the seat of the Popes as the Bishops of Rome.

Early Church

Thepapalcathedra,the presence of which renders the archbasilica the cathedral of Rome, is located in itsapse.The decorations are incosmatesquestyle.

Pope Sylvester Ipresided over the official dedication of the archbasilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace in 324, changing the name fromDomus FaustatoDomus Dei( "House of God" ), with a dedication to Christ the Savior (Christo Salvatori). When acathedrabecame a symbol of episcopal authority, the papalcathedrawas placed in its interior, rendering it the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. WhenGregory the Greatsent theGregorian missionto England underAugustine of Canterbury,some original churches in Canterbury took the Roman plan as a model, dedicating a church both to Christ as well as one to Saint Paul, outside the walls of the city. The church name "Christ Church", so common for churches around the world today in Anglophone Anglican contexts, originally came from this Roman church, central to pre-medieval Christian identity.

The anniversary of the dedication of the church has been observed as a feast since the 12th century. In theGeneral Roman Calendarof theCatholic Church,9 November is thefeastof the Dedication of the (Arch)Basilica of the Lateran (Dedicatio Basilicae Lateranensis), referred to in older texts as the "Dedication of the Basilica of the Most Holy Savior".

The Middle Ages

The high altar and the 14th-century Gothicciborium.The relic of the original wooden altar used bySaint Petercomprises the high altar. Above the ciborium are statues of Sts. Peter andPaul.

On the archbasilica's front wall between the main portals is a plaque inscribed with the wordsSACROS LATERAN ECCLES OMNIUM VRBIS ET ORBIS ECCLESIARVM MATER ET CAPUT( "Most Holy Lateran Church, mother and head of all the churches in the city and the world" ); a visible indication of the declaration that the basilica is the "mother church" of all the world. In the twelfth century the canons of the Lateran claimed that the high altar housed the Ark of the Covenant and several holy objects from Jerusalem. The basilica was thus presented as the Temple of the New Covenant.

The archbasilica and Lateran Palace were re-dedicated twice.Pope Sergius IIIdedicated them in honor ofSaint John the Baptistin the 10th century, occasioned by the newly consecratedbaptistryof the archbasilica.Pope Lucius IIdedicated them in honor ofJohn the Evangelistin the 12th century. Thus, Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist became co-patrons of the archbasilica, while the primary Titular is still Christ the Savior, as the inscription in the entrance indicates and as is traditional for patriarchal cathedrals. Consequently, the archbasilica remains dedicated to the Savior, and its titular feast is theFeast of the Transfiguration of Christon 6 August. The archbasilica became the most important shrine of the two Saint Johns, albeit infrequently jointly venerated. In later years, aBenedictinemonasterywas established in the Lateran Palace, and was devoted to serving the archbasilica and the two saints.

Every pope, beginning withPope Miltiades,occupied the Lateran Palace until the reign of the FrenchPope Clement V,who in 1309 transferred the seat of the papacy toAvignon,a papal fiefdom that was an enclave inFrance.The Lateran Palace has also been the site of fiveecumenical councils(seeLateran councils).

Fires and reconstruction

During the time thepapacy was seated in Avignon, France,the Lateran Palace and the archbasilica deteriorated. Two fires ravaged them in 1307 and 1361. After both fires the pope sent money from Avignon to pay for their reconstruction and maintenance. Nonetheless, the archbasilica and Lateran Palace lost their former splendor. When the papacy returned from Avignon and the pope again resided in Rome, the archbasilica and the Lateran Palace were deemed inadequate considering their accumulated damage. The popes resided at theBasilica di Santa Maria in Trastevereand later at theBasilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.Eventually, thePalace of the Vaticanwas built adjacent to theBasilica of Saint Peter,which existed since the time of EmperorConstantine I,and the popes began to reside there. It has remained the official residence of the pope, though Pope Francis has chosen to reside in theDomus Sanctae Marthaein the Vatican City,not in thePapal apartments.

There were several attempts at reconstruction of the archbasilica before a definitive program ofPope Sixtus V.Sixtus V hired his favorite architect,Domenico Fontana,to supervise much of the project. The original Lateran Palace was demolished and replaced with a new edifice. On the square in front of theLateran PalaceisSan Giovanni Addolorata Hospitaland the largest standing ancient Egyptianobeliskin the world, known as theLateran Obelisk.It weighs an estimated 455 tons. It was commissioned by the EgyptianPharaoh Thutmose IIIand erected byThutmose IVbefore the greatKarnaktemple ofThebes, Egypt.Intended byEmperor Constantine Ito be shipped toConstantinople,the very preoccupiedConstantius IIhad it shipped instead to Rome, where it was erected in theCircus Maximusin AD 357. At some time it broke and was buried under the Circus. In the 16th century it was discovered and excavated, and Sixtus V had it re-erected on a new pedestal on 3 August 1588 at its present site.

Further renovation of the interior of the archbasilica ensued under the direction ofFrancesco Borromini,commissioned byPope Innocent X.The twelve niches created by his architectural scheme were eventually filled in 1718 with statues of theApostles,sculpted by the most prominent RomanRococosculptors.

Main body of the basilica, after the radical transformation byFrancesco Borrominiin the 17th century.

The vision ofPope Clement XIIfor reconstruction was an ambitious one in which he launched a competition to design a new façade. More than 23 architects competed, mostly working in the then-currentBaroqueidiom. The putatively impartial jury was chaired bySebastiano Conca,president of the RomanAcademy of Saint Luke.The winner of the competition wasAlessandro Galilei.

The façade as it appears today was completed in 1735. It reads in Latin:Clemens XII Pont Max Anno V Christo Salvatori In Hon SS Ioan Bapt et Evang;this highly abbreviated inscription is expanded thus:Clemens XII, Pont[ifex] Max[imus], [in] Anno V, [dedicavit hoc aedificium] Christo Salvatori, in hon[orem] [sanctorum] Ioan[is] Bapt[tistae] et Evang[elistae].This translates as "Pope Clement XII,Pontifex Maximus, in the fifth year of his reign, dedicated this building to Christ the Savior, in honor of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist ".Galilei's façade removed all vestiges of traditional, ancient, basilical architecture and imparted a neo-classical facade.

• 
  Nave
• 
  Ceiling
• 
  TheLateran Obelisk
• 
  TheLoggia delle Benedizioni,on the rear left side. Annexed, on the left, is the Lateran Palace.

World War II

During the Second World War, the Lateran and its related buildings were used under PopePius XIIas a safe haven from the Nazis and Italian Fascists for numbers of Jews and other refugees. Among those who found shelter there wereMeuccio Ruini,Alcide De Gasperi,Pietro Nenniand others. TheDaughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Pauland the sixty orphan refugees they cared for were ordered to leave their convent on the Via Carlo Emanuele. TheSisters of Maria Bambina,who staffed the kitchen at thePontifical Major Roman Seminaryat the Lateran offered a wing of their convent. The grounds also housed Italian soldiers.

Vincenzo FagioloandPietro Palazzini,vice-rector of the seminary, were recognized byYad Vashemfor their efforts to assist Jews.

Architecture

History

An apse lined with mosaics and open to the air still preserves the memory of one of the most famous halls of the ancient palace, the "Triclinium"ofPope Leo III,which was the state banqueting hall. The existing structure is not ancient, but some portions of the original mosaics may have been preserved in the tripartite mosaic of its niche. In the center Christ gives to theApostlestheir mission; on the left he gives the keys of the kingdom of heaven toPope Sylvester Iand theLabarumtoEmperor Constantine I;and on the rightPetergives the papalstoletoPope Leo IIIand the standard toCharlemagne.

Some few remains of the original buildings may still be traced in thecity wallsoutside theGate of Saint John,and a large wall decorated with paintings was uncovered in the 18th century within the archbasilica behind the Lancellotti Chapel. A few traces of older buildings were also revealed during the excavations of 1880, when the work of extending the apse was in progress, but nothing of importance was published.

A great many donations from the Popes and other benefactors to the archbasilica are recorded in theLiber Pontificalis,and its splendor at an early period was such that it became known as the "Basilica Aurea", or "Golden Basilica". This splendor drew upon it theattack of the Vandals,who stripped it of all its treasures.Pope Leo Irestored it around AD 460, and it was again restored byPope Hadrian I.

In 897, it was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake:ab altari usque ad portas cecidit( "it collapsed from the altar to the doors" ). The damage was so extensive that it was difficult to trace the lines of the old building, but these were mostly respected and the new building was of the same dimensions as the old. This second basilica stood for 400 years before it burned in 1308. It was rebuilt byPope Clement VandPope John XXII.It burned once more in 1360, and was rebuilt byPope Urban V.

Through vicissitudes the archbasilica retained its ancient form, being divided by rows of columns into aisles, and having in front aperistylesurrounded by colonnades with a fountain in the middle, the conventional Late Antique format that was also followed by the oldSaint Peter's Basilica.The façade had three windows and was embellished with a mosaic representing Christ as the Savior of the world.

The porticoes were frescoed, probably not earlier than the 12th century, commemorating theRoman fleetunderVespasian,the taking ofJerusalem,the Baptism ofEmperor Constantine Iand his"Donation" of the Papal Statesto theCatholic Church.Inside the archbasilica the columns no doubt ran, as in all other basilicas of the same date, the whole length of the church, from east to west.

In one of the rebuildings, probably that which was carried out byPope Clement V,a transverse nave was introduced, imitated no doubt from the one which had been added, long before this, to theBasilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.Probably at this time the archbasilica was enlarged.

Thesedia stercorariawhere Psalm 112 was sung in the distant past.

Some portions of the older buildings survive. Among them the pavement of medievalCosmatesquework, and the statues ofSaint PeterandSaint Paul,now in thecloister.The gracefulciboriumover the high altar, which looks out of place in its present surroundings,dates from 1369. The throne of red marble on which the Popes sat, is now in theVatican Museums.It was part of a pair, but the other was plundered and taken away byNapoleonand is now in the Louvre. Another papal throne, thesedia stercoraria,is now in theLateran Cloister.It owes its unsavory name to the anthem sung at previous Papal coronations, "Destercoreerigens pauperem "(" lifting up the poor out of the dunghill ", from Psalm 112).

From the 5th century, there were seven oratories surrounding the archbasilica. These before long were incorporated into the church. The devotion of visiting these oratories, which was maintained through the Mediaeval Ages, gave rise to the similar devotion of the seven altars, still common in many churches of Rome and elsewhere.

Of the façade byAlessandro Galilei(1735), the cliché assessmenthas been that it is the façade of apalace,not of a church. Galilei's front, which is a screen across the older front creating anarthexor vestibule, does express the nave and double aisles of the archbasilica, which required a central bay wider than the rest of the sequence. Galilei provided it, without abandoning the range of identical arch-headed openings, by extending the central window by flanking columns that support the arch, in the familiarSerlian motif.

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Lithograph, 1825

By bringing the central bay forward very slightly, and capping it with a pediment that breaks into the roof balustrade, Galilei provided an entrance doorway on a more than colossal scale, framed in the paired colossalCorinthian pilastersthat tie together the façade in the manner introduced atMichelangelo'spalace on the Campidoglio.

In the narthex of the church, is a 4th-century statue of emperor Constantine. It was found elsewhere in Rome, and moved to this site by order ofPope Clement XII.

Between the archbasilica and the city wall there was a great monastery, in which dwelt the community of monks whose duty it was to provide the services in the archbasilica. The only part of it which still survives is the 13th centurycloister,surrounded bycolumnsof inlaidmarble.They are of a style intermediate between theRomanesqueproper and theGothic,and are the work ofVassellectusand theCosmati.

Statues of the Apostles

The twelve niches created inFrancesco Borromini's architecture were left vacant for decades. When in 1702Pope Clement XIandBenedetto Cardinal Pamphili,archpriests of the archbasilica, announced their grand scheme for twelve larger-than-life sculptures of theApostles(Judas Iscariotreplaced bySaint Paul,instead ofSaint Matthias) to fill the niches, the commission was opened to all the premier sculptors of lateBaroqueRome.Each statue was to be sponsored by an illustrious prince with the Pope himself sponsoring that ofSaint Peterand Cardinal Pamphili that ofSaint John the Evangelist.Most of the sculptors were given a sketch drawn by Pope Clement's favorite painter,Carlo Maratta,to which they were to adhere, but with the notable exception beingPierre Le Gros the Younger,who successfully refused to sculpt to Maratta's design and consequently was not given a sketch.

The sculptors and their sculptures follow and are dated according to Conforti (the dates reflect archival findings but models for most must have existed before):

• Pierre-Étienne Monnot
  • Saint Paul(1704–1708)
  • Saint Peter(1704–1711)
• Francesco Moratti
  • Saint Simon(1704–1709)
• Lorenzo Ottoni
  • Saint Jude Thaddeus(1704–1709)
• Giuseppe Mazzuoli
  • Saint Philip(1705–1711)
• Pierre Le Gros
  • Saint Thomas(1705–1711)
  • Saint Bartholomew(c. 1705–1712)
• Angelo de' Rossi
  • Saint James the Lesser(1705–1711)
• Camillo Rusconi
  • Saint Andrew(1705–1709)
  • Saint John(1705–1711)
  • Saint Matthew(1711–1715)
  • Saint James the Greater(1715–1718)

South wall

• 
  Saint Simon
  by Moratti
• 
  Saint Bartholomew
  by Le Gros
• 
  Saint James the Lesser
  by de' Rossi
• 
  Saint John
  by Rusconi
• 
  Saint Andrew
  by Rusconi
• 
  Saint Peter
  by Monnot

North wall

• 
  Saint Paul
  by Monnot
• 
  Saint James the Greater
  by Rusconi
• 
  Saint Thomas
  by Le Gros
• 
  Saint Philip
  by Mazzuoli
• 
  Saint Matthew
  by Rusconi
• 
  Saint Jude Thaddeaus
  by Ottoni

Papal tombs

Main article:List of extant papal tombs

TheSarcophagusofSaint Helena,reused byPope Anastasius IV,the only tomb to survive the Lateran fires. It is currently in the Vatican Museums.

There are six extant papal tombs inside the archbasilica:Alexander III(right aisles),Pope Sergius IV(right aisles),Pope Clement XIICorsini (left aisle),Pope Martin V(in front of the confessio);Pope Innocent III(right transept); andPope Leo XIII(left transept), by G. Tadolini (1907). The last of these, Pope Leo XIII, was the last pope not to be entombed inSaint Peter's Basilica,as of 2023.

Twelve additional papal tombs were constructed in the archbasilica starting in the 10th century, but were destroyed during the two fires that ravaged it in 1308 and 1361. The remains of these charred tombs were gathered and reburied in apolyandrion.The popes whose tombs were destroyed are:Pope John X(914–928),Pope Agapetus II(946–955),Pope John XII(955–964),Pope Paschal II(1099–1118),Pope Callixtus II(1119–1124),Pope Honorius II(1124–1130),Pope Celestine II(1143–1144),Pope Lucius II(1144–1145),Pope Anastasius IV(1153–1154),Pope Clement III(1187–1191),Pope Celestine III(1191–1198), andPope Innocent V(1276). Popes who reigned during this period, whose tombs are unknown, and who may have been buried in the archbasilica includePope John XVII(1003),Pope John XVIII(1003–1009), andPope Alexander II(1061–1073).Pope John Xwas the first pope buried within the walls of Rome, and was granted a prominent burial due to rumors that he was murdered byTheodoraduring a historical period known as thesaeculum obscurum.CardinalsVincenzo Santucciand Carlo Colonna are also buried in the archbasilica.

The skull of Saint Peter is also claimed to reside in the archbasilica since at least the ninth century, alongside the skull of Saint Paul.

Baptistery and Holy Stairs

The entrance to theLateran Baptistery,adjacent to the Archbasilica

Main articles:Lateran BaptisteryandScala Sancta

The octagonal Lateran baptistery stands somewhat apart from the archbasilica. It was founded byPope Sixtus III,perhaps on an earlier structure, for a legend arose thatEmperor Constantine Iwas baptized there and enriched the edifice. The baptistery was for many generations the only baptistery in Rome, and its octagonal structure, centered upon the large basin for full immersions, provided a model for others throughout Italy, and even an iconic motif ofilluminated manuscriptsknown as "thefountain of life".

TheScala Sancta,or Holy Stairs, are white marble steps encased in wooden ones. They supposedly form the staircase which once led to the praetorium ofPontius PilateinJerusalemand which, therefore, were sanctified by the footsteps ofJesus Christduring HisPassion.The marble stairs are visible through openings in the wooden risers. Their translation from Jerusalem to the Lateran Palace in the 4th century is credited toSaint Empress Helena,the mother of the then-EmperorConstantine I.In 1589,Pope Sixtus Vrelocated the steps to their present location in front of the ancient palatine chapel named theSancta Sanctorum.Ferraù Fenzonicompleted some of the frescoes on the walls.

Notable people

Archpriests

Pope Boniface VIIIinstituted the office of Archpriest of the Archbasilica circa 1299.

List of Archpriests of the Archbasilica:

• Gerardo Bianchi(c.1299–1302)
• Pietro Valeriano Duraguerra(1302)
• Matteo Rosso Orsini(1302–1305)
• Pietro Colonna(1306–1326)
• Bertrand de Montfavez(1326–1342)
• Giovanni Colonna(1342–1348)
• Pierre Roger de Beaufort(1348–1370)
• Ange de Grimoard(1371–1388)
• Pietro Tomacelli(1388?–1389)
• Francesco Carbone (1389–1405)
• Antonio Caetani (seniore)(1405–1412)
• Oddone Colonna(1412–1417)
• Alamanno Adimari(1418–1422)
• Guillaume Fillastre(1422–1428)
• Alfonso Carillo de Albornoz(1428–1434)
• Lucido Conti(1434–1437)
• Angelotto Fosco(1437–1444)
• António Martinez de Chaves(1444–1447)
• Domenico Capranica(1447–1458)
• Prospero Colonna(1458–1463)
• Latino Orsini(1463–1477)
• Giuliano della Rovere(1477–1503)
• Giovanni Colonna(1503–1538)
• Alessandro Farnese(1508–1534)
• Giovanni Domenico de Cupis(1534–1553)
• Ranuccio Farnese(1553–1565)
• Mark Sitticus von Hohenems(1565–1588)
• Ascanio Colonna(1588–1608)
• Scipione Caffarelli-Borghese(1608–1620)

• Giambattista Leni(1620–1627)
• Francesco Barberini(1627–1629)
• Girolamo Colonna(1629–1666)
• Flavio Chigi(1666–1693)
• Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri degli Albertoni(1693–1698)
• Benedetto Pamphili(1699–1730)
• Pietro Ottoboni(1730–1740)
• Neri Maria Corsini(1740–1770)
• Mario Marefoschi Compagnoni(1771–1780)
• Carlo Rezzonico(1781–1799)
• Francesco Saverio de Zelada(1800–1801)
• Leonardo Antonelli(1801–1811)
• Bartolomeo Pacca(1830–1844)
• Benedetto Barberini(28 April 1844 – 10 April 1863)
• Lodovico Altieri(1863–1867)
• Costantino Patrizi Naro(1867–1876)
• Flavio Chigi(24 December 1876 – 1885)
• Raffaele Monaco La Valletta(1885–1896)
• Francesco Satolli(16 December 1896 – 8 January 1910)
• Pietro Respighi(10 January 1910 – 22 March 1913)
• Domenico Ferrata(7 April 1913 – 10 October 1914)
• Basilio Pompili(28 October 1914 – 5 May 1931)
• Francesco Marchetti-Selvaggiani(26 May 1931 – 13 January 1951)
• Benedetto Aloisi Masella(27 October 1954 – 30 August 1970)
• Angelo Dell'Acqua(7 November 1970 – 27 August 1972)
• Ugo Poletti(26 March 1973 – 17 January 1991)
• Camillo Ruini(1 July 1991 – 27 June 2008)
• Agostino Vallini(27 June 2008 – 26 May 2017)
• Angelo De Donatis(26 May 2017 – 6 April 2024)
• Baldassare Reina(6 October 2024 – present)

Others

• Giuseppe Olivieri,Italian composer who wasmaestro di cappellaat the archbasilica in 1622–1623.

Gallery

• 
  TheScala Sancta
• 
  Alessandro Galileicompleted the late Baroque façade of the archbasilica in 1735 after winning a competition for the design.
• 
  Next to the main entrance is the inscription of the archbasilica's declaration to being themother churchof the world.
• 
  Statue ofSaint John the Baptist.
• 
  The decorated ceiling.
• 
  Apsedepictingmosaicsfrom theTricliniumofPope Leo IIIin the ancient Lateran Palace.
• 
  The cloister of the attached monastery, with acosmatesquedecoration.
• 
  The cloister of the attached monastery.
• 
  Our Lady of Częstochowadepicted in the archbasilica.
• 
  Interior picture of the Apse in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran containing the Papal cathedra.

See also

• Early Christian art and architecture
• Colegio de San Juan de Letran,aPhilippineschool named after the archbasilica
• Index of Vatican City-related articles
• Schola Castra Nova Equitum Singularium

References

Sources

• Barnes, Arthur S. (1910)."Saint John Lateran".In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 9. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• Claussen, Peter C.; Senekovic, Darko (2008).S. Giovanni in Laterano. Mit einem Beitrag von Darko Senekovic über S. Giovanni in Fonte, in Corpus Cosmatorum, Volume 2, 2.Stuttgart: Franz Steiner Verlag.ISBN978-3-515-09073-5.
• Krautheimer, Richard;Frazer, Alfred; Corbett, Spencer (1937–77).Corpus Basilicarum Christianarum Romae: The Early Christian Basilicas of Rome (IV–IX Centuries).Vatican City: Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana (Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology).OCLC163156460.
• Webb, Matilda (2001).The Churches and Catacombs of Early Christian Rome.Brighton: Sussex Academic Press. p. 41.ISBN1-902210-57-3.
• Lenski, Noel (2006).The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Constantine.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.p. 282.ISBN0-521-52157-2.
• Stato della Città del Vaticano (2009)."Arcibasilica Papale Di San Giovanni In Laterano"(in Italian). Holy See.Retrieved24 October2010.

External links

• High-resolution virtual tour of Saint John Lateran,from the Vatican.
• Satellite Photo of Saint John Lateran
• Constantine's obelisk
• San Giovanni in Laterano
• High-resolution 360° Panoramas and Images ofArchbasilica of Saint John Lateran | Art AtlasArchived21 December 2019 at theWayback Machine
• Interactive Nolli Map Website
• "Beggar's Rome"- A self-directed virtual tour of St. John Lateran Basilica and other Roman churches

Preceded by Ponte Sant'Angelo

Landmarks of Rome Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

Succeeded by Santa Maria Maggiore