The History of the Lateran Basilica: The Mother and Head of All Churches
The History of the Lateran Basilica: The Mother and Head of All Churches The facade of Basilica (church) di San Giovanni in Laterano The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran (Archbasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris et Sanctorum Ioannis Baptistae et Ioannis Evangelistae) is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome—the Pope. It is commonly called the Basilica of Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano). It holds a unique place in Catholic history because it is not St. Peter's Basilica but the cathedral church of the Pope. It is traditionally honored with the title: Omnium Urbis et Orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput "Mother and Head of all the Churches of the City and the World." This title expresses its historical and ecclesiastical primacy as the cathedral of Rome. 1. Its origins: From persecution to freedom (4th century) Before the fourth century, Christianity was periodically persecuted in the Roman Empire....