Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Rome

Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is  the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of His Holiness our Pope as the Bishop of Rome. It is also known as known as St. John Lateran's Archbasilica, Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Archbasilica of Our Saviour  or Arcibasilica Papale di San Giovanni in Laterano in Italian. It is the ecumenical mother church (Universal Church) to Roman Catholics worldwide, and it is rank highest among all churches in the Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica. The basilica is the oldest among the four basilicas in Rome. It is located in the south-eastern part of Rome outside the Vatican City, however it has been granted as the property of the Holy See, Vatican.

9 November is dedicated to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.  This feast became a universal celebration in honor of the basilica called "the mother and mistress of all churches of Rome and the world" (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput) as a sign of love for and union with the See of Peter.

The word "Lateran" in the name of the Basilica is due to this site was occupied by a palace like mansion belonging to the rich Laterani family, which was confiscated by Emperor Nero. A hundred years later, the first Christian emperor, Constantine the 1st, acquired the old  palace and  chose to give the Lateran palace to the Roman Church as a gift. It was then was converted and enlarged and became Lateran Basilica the official residence of the Pope.  In year 324 AD, the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace was officially dedicated by Pope Sylvester which he declared as “Domus Dei” (“The house of God”). The Papal Throne was placed in the Basilica, the Cathedral of Rome. The interior is richly and beautifully decorated by Constantine. There are seven silver altars, more than 100 chandeliers and a gold covered apse vault in the Basilica.

 

The Lateran Basilica has been rededicated twice. The first time was in the 10th century when it was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist in honor of the newly consecrated baptistery and the second time was in the 12th century, when it was dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist. On the top of the front entrance of the basilica there are 11 sculptures, in the middle is Jesus Christ is carrying a cross and surrounded by St. John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist and the other Doctors of the Church. Below the statues is a long Latin text inscribed which says “Clement XII, Supreme Pontiff, in his fifth year, to Christ the Savior in honor of Saints John the Baptist and Evangalist.”  Jesus Christ our Saviour is the Chief patron of the cathedral and the co-patrons being St. John the Evangelist and St. John the Baptist.

Major renovation in 18th century, which included the addition of the new facade.

YouTube Link

Basilica of St John Lateran, Rome [HD]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56kx6OMFL8I&list=LPbbEZr516fAc&index=1&feature=plcp

Procession at Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni Laterano) 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aY3p3tKp3Y&feature=related