San Giovanni in Laterano

Description

Church of San Giovanni in Laterano is the cathedral church of Rome, Italy and therefore houses the cathedra, or ecclesiastical seat, of the Bishop of Rome (Pope). It is the oldest and highest ranking of the four papal major basilicas, giving it the unique title of "archbasilica". Because it is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and houses the cathedra of the Roman bishop, it has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Catholic faithful.