Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

Rome’s cathedral and the oldest and highest-ranking of the four papal major basilicas. Its full title is the Papal Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran.

Constantine the Great: Roman emperor from 306 to 337 who legalized Christianity and supported the construction of churches. He gave the Lateran site to the Church and sponsored its first basilica.
Pope: The bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church. The Lateran is the pope’s cathedral as bishop of Rome.
Diocese of Rome: The Catholic diocese centered on Rome and governed by the pope as its bishop. The Lateran serves as the diocese’s cathedral, distinct from the pope’s residence at the Vatican.
Francesco Borromini: An Italian Baroque architect known for inventive church designs in seventeenth-century Rome. His major seventeenth-century renovation reshaped the basilica’s interior.
St Peter's Basilica: A Renaissance and Baroque basilica in Vatican City built above the traditional tomb of Saint Peter. It is more famous and larger, but it is not Rome’s cathedral.
Old St Peter's Basilica: The fourth-century basilica built over the traditional tomb of Saint Peter in Rome, demolished after the present basilica was begun. Built under Constantine, it provides a contemporary comparison for the Lateran’s beginnings.
Cathedral: The principal church of a diocese, containing the bishop’s official seat. The Lateran’s cathedral status comes from the bishop of Rome’s seat there.
Holy Door: A ceremonial doorway opened during Catholic jubilee years as a sign of pilgrimage and spiritual renewal. The basilica’s Holy Door makes it a major destination during jubilee celebrations.
Alessandro Galilei: An Italian architect whose works include the eighteenth-century façade of the Lateran basilica. His monumental façade gave the basilica its prominent present-day exterior.
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls: A major papal basilica in Rome built over the traditional burial place of Saint Paul. Its papal rank matches the Lateran’s category, but not its precedence.

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Pope Sylvester IBroader topic: Its establishment reflects the new public presence of the Roman church during Sylvester’s tenure.