Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is the spiritual heart of Rome and the oldest of the four major papal basilicas. Honored as the “Mother and Head of all the churches in the city and the world,” it was founded in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine as the first church built in Rome, marking Christianity’s emergence from persecution into imperial favor. Its architecture, blending ancient foundations with Baroque additions, mirrors the evolving history of the Church.

Inside, rich mosaics, gilded ceilings, and the revered relic of the Scala Santa create an atmosphere of solemn splendor, inviting pilgrims into a living dialogue with the past. This sacred site has hosted papal coronations and church councils, silently witnessing key moments in Christian history. For Romans and visitors alike, it remains a place of deep reverence and spiritual renewal, a timeless sanctuary linking the earthly and the divine.