Archbasilica of St John Lateran
| Archbasilica of St. John Lateran | |
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| 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 St. John in Lateran
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 Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
Location of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome
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| 41°53′9″N 12°30′20″E / 41.88583°N 12.50556°ECoordinates: 41°53′9″N 12°30′20″E / 41.88583°N 12.50556°E | |
| Location | Rome |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Latin Rite |
| Website | Archbasilica of St. John Lateran |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist |
| Consecrated | AD 324 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Papal major basilica, Cathedral |
| Architect(s) | Alessandro Galilei |
| Architectural type | Cathedral |
| Style | Baroque, Neoclassical |
| Groundbreaking | AD 4th century |
| Completed | 1735 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 140 metres (460 ft) |
| Width | 140 metres (460 ft) |
| Nave width | 65 metres (213 ft) |
| Materials | Marble, granite, and cement |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Rome |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Pope Francis |
| Archpriest | Angelo De Donatis |
| 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 |
| State Party | Italy and Holy See |
| Region | Europe and North America |
The Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran, (Italian: Santissimo Salvatore e Santi Giovanni Battista ed Evangelista in Laterano) - also known as the Papal Archbasilica of St. John [in] Lateran, St. John Lateran, or the Lateran Basilica - is the cathedral church of Rome, Italy and therefore houses the cathedra, or ecclesiastical seat, of the Bishop of Rome (Pope).
It is the oldest and highest ranking of the four papal major basilicas, giving it the unique title of "archbasilica". Because it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and houses the cathedra of the Roman bishop, it has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Catholic faithful.
The current archpriest is Angelo De Donatis, Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. 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; which is a highly abbreviated inscription which translates to: "Pope 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". The inscription indicates, along with its full title (see below), that the archbasilica was originally dedicated to Christ the Savior and, centuries later, co-dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. As the Cathedral of the Pope qua Bishop of Rome, it ranks superior to all other churches of the Roman Catholic Church, including St. Peter's Basilica, and therefore it alone is titled "Archbasilica" among all other basilicas.
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Wikipedia