The Lateran Basilica is one of the four major basilicas of the Church. It is located on Lateran Square in Rome, next to the Lateran Palace. The origin of the name Lateran dates back to around the time of Christ’s birth. At that time, the Lateran Palace belonged to the Laterani family. Emperor Nero murdered his last descendant. The palace then became the property of the emperor. When Constantine the Great ascended the imperial throne, he donated the entire palace to Pope Sylvester I. It then became the seat of the popes and remained so for almost a thousand years. However, in 1308, it burned down, and the pope moved to the Vatican Palace. Pope Sixtus V had the ruins of the burned-down palace removed in 1586. After the ruins were removed, a new, current castle was built, which is much smaller. However, the popes continued to reside in the Vatican. At the behest of Pope John XXIII, a Roman vicariate was established there, and the Lateran Palace became the seat of the Roman bishopric. The bishop (cardinal) who represents the Holy Father in the administration of the Roman diocese resides there.
The Lateran Basilica is the first of all Roman basilicas. It is sometimes referred to as the “mother of all churches.” Other basilicas include St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, St. Paul’s Basilica on the Ostiense Way (fuori le mura – outside the city walls), and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The Lateran Basilica was initially dedicated to the Most Holy Savior. The Lateran Basilica was originally dedicated to the Holy Savior. Later, St. John the Apostle and St. John the Baptist were added to this patronage. It was initially a five-nave church built during the papacy of Miltiades, from 310 to 314. However, this temple was destroyed several times – by the Vandals in the 5th century, by an earthquake in the 9th century, and by fire in the 17th century. The current church dates back to the 17th century. At that time, Pope Innocent X commissioned the famous architect Borromini to rebuild the basilica from the ground up. The facade of the church dates back to 1735, and the apse to 1885. The facade of the church dates back to 173,5 and the apse to 1885. The main facade was built from travertine by Alexander Galilei. On the upper railing, there are fifteen statues representing Christ, St. John the Apostle, St. John the Baptist, and church teachers. There are five gates leading to the basilica, one of which is the Porta sancta (Holy Gate), which is only opened during jubilee years. The basilica is 130 meters long and currently has five naves. However, it should be noted that Borromini’s reconstruction detracted from its basilica style, as walls connected every two columns and walls separated several double columns. However, it should be noted that Borromini’s reconstruction detracted from the basilica style, as walls and chapels were inserted between every two columns, connecting them. The interior furnishings and decorations are rich, having been created over the centuries.
In front of the basilica stands a statue of St. Francis of Assisi (from 1927), raising his hands toward the Lateran. This gesture recalls Francis’ meeting with Pope Innocent III, who had previously seen him in a dream saving the cracking Lateran Basilica. This gesture commemorates Francis’ meeting with Pope Innocent III, who had previously seen him in a dream saving the crumbling Lateran Basilica, which was then still a papal church and in the dream represented the entire Church.
Throughout history, many synods and five ecumenical councils have been held in the basilica. In 1929, the Lateran Treaty, an agreement between the Vatican State and Italy, was signed here. The Lateran Basilica is deeply ingrained in the history of the Church as the site of numerous events related to both ecclesiastical and secular life.
The anniversary of its consecration was initially a matter for the Roman diocese alone, but later became a matter for the whole Church. The basilica is also the seat of the Roman pontiff.
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