Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput

Today is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the see of the Archdiocese of Rome, the pope’s cathedral. It is the first and oldest basilica in the West. The full name of the church is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. But it most commonly referred to as St. John Lateran, after the Laterani family, on whose land it was built. The Laterani property had been seized by Emperor Nero and was now property of the emperor. After his conversion, Constantine gave the land and family palace to Pope Miltiades as the first official papal palace.

The archbasilica was built in 324. It was originally dedicated to the Most Holy Savior. It was later also dedicated to St. John the Baptist, then later St. John the Evangelist. From the fourth century until the Avignon papacy, St. John Lateran was the home of the pope and the center of the Catholic Church. Five ecumenical councils were held there (in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and 1512). The Lateran Treaty of 1929, establishing Vatican City as its own state, was signed at the Lateran Palace.

In 897, an earthquake heavily damaged the building. In the 1308, there was a major fire that destroyed much of the structure. In the 1600s, the interior was redesigned in the Baroque style. In 1735, the neo-classical façade was added. So it has been evolving over and over. There are twelve statues around the nave, one for each apostle, along with friezes of twelve prophets.

On the archbasilica’s front wall is inscribed: "Omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput" ("Mother and Head of all Churches in the City [of Rome] and the World"). It is for this reason that the dedication of the archbasilica is celebrated around the world today: the cathedra of the pope is there, and so the archbasilica serves as the Mother Church for all Catholics.

I am glad I got to visit St. John Lateran recently. With so much going on across town at St. Peter's in Vatican City, I think the Lateran doesn't get as much attention as it deserves, as it is still the pope's official cathedral. It is rightfully the central point of the Church, and has been since Constantine. Despite all the overwhelmingly beautiful art and side altars, I most remember St. John Lateran for buying stamps and going to Eucharistic adoration. But I suppose that's an appropriate pilgrim memory to hold.