Lateran basilica
| Archbasilica of St. John Lateran | |
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| Major Papal and Roman Archbasilica 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′9.26″N 12°30′22.16″E / 41.8859056°N 12.5061556°ECoordinates: 41°53′9.26″N 12°30′22.16″E / 41.8859056°N 12.5061556°E | |
| Location | Rome |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Tradition | Latin Rite |
| Website | Archbasilica of St |
| 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 | Agostino Vallini |
| 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 Papal Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran (Italian: Arcibasilica Papale di San Giovanni in Laterano), commonly known as St. John Lateran Archbasilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, St. John Lateran, or simply the Lateran Basilica, is the cathedral church of Rome, Italy and therefore houses the cathedra, or ecclesiastical seat, of the Roman Pontiff (Pope).
It is the oldest of and has precedence among the four papal major basilicas, all of which are in Rome, because it is the oldest church in the West and houses the cathedra of the Roman Pontiff. It has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.
The current archpriest is Agostino Vallini, Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. The President of the French Republic, currently François Hollande, 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