Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Basilica Rome, Italy

The basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano or cathedral of Rome (full name: Papal Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and Evangelist in Lateran) is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, currently governed by Pope Francis through Archbishop Angelo De Donatis . It is the first of the four major papal basilicas and the oldest and most important basilica in the West. Located on the Celio hill, the basilica and the vast surrounding complex (including the Pontifical Lateran Palace, the Canons' Palace, the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary and the Pontifical Lateran University) enjoy the privileges of extraterritoriality recognized by the Italian State to the Holy See which therefore it has full and exclusive jurisdiction over it.

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. The current archpriest is Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome. The President of the French Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, is ex officio the "first and only honorary canon" of the archbasilica, a title that the heads of state of France have possessed since King Henry IV.