The Catholic Traveler

The Churches of Rome

Saint John Lateran

Founded in AD 324, Saint John Lateran is the oldest public church in Rome and the cathedral of Rome — the Pope’s own church as Bishop of Rome, inscribed over its door as ‘mother and head of all churches in the city and the world.’ It is a Papal Major Archbasilica and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches.

  • Alessandro Galilei’s façade, crowned by twelve monumental statues of Christ and the Apostles
  • Francesco Borromini’s Baroque renovation of the interior
  • The Lateran Baptistery, founded by Sixtus III
  • Reliquary busts said to contain relics of Saints Peter and Paul
  • Site of five ecumenical councils, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980

Weekdays: 7:15 a.m. (Cappella Massimo), 8:00 a.m. (Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica), 9:00 a.m. (Cappella Massimo), 10:00 a.m. (Cappella Massimo), 11:00 a.m. (Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica), 5:30 p.m. (Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica)

Sundays & Holy Days: 7:00 a.m. (Abside), 8:00 a.m. (Abside/Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica), 9:00 a.m. (Papal Altar), 10:30 a.m. (Papal Altar, Capitular Mass), 12:00 p.m. (Papal Altar), 5:30 p.m. (Papal Altar)

Basilica: Daily 7:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., free entry

Museum: Daily 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Cloister: Mon–Sat 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., closed Sundays/holidays

Baptistry: Daily 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Lateran Palace: Mon–Sat 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Excavations: Mon–Sat only, groups max 20, reservation required 72 hrs in advance.

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