The Diocese of Rome has planned a full year of events to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, which was dedicated on Nov. 9, 324.

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Nov 9, 2024 / 04:00 am The most important church in Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, is celebrating its 1,700th anniversary on Nov. 9.

Fabiano Pompei's family has run a news kiosk close to Rome's imposing St. John Lateran Basilica since 1948. Marco Volpini's family owned one near the Trevi Fountains for a century.

Priests and faithful gather in Rome's Basilica of St. John Lateran during the Holy Door opening ceremony on Dec. 29, 2024. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA (Story continues below) ...

It was a truly hectic Sunday, May 25, for the American-born pope, as he visited the two major basilicas: St. John Lateran and St. Mary Major, and met with the mayor of Rome.

Take a drone flight of discovery high above the four Papal Basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore. These sacred sites are ...

Experience a breathtaking drone journey across the four Papal Basilicas of Rome: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, St. Paul Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore. These sacred sites ...

Pope Leo XIV seated in the cathedral of Rome, the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, a symbol of his authority as Bishop of Rome, May 25, 2025. (photo: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News/Vatican Pool) ...

Those duties are usually delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, known as a vicar, she said. Pope Leo XIV waves upon his arrival at the St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome on Sunday.

The first American pope formally took possession of the St. John Lateran Basilica, which is Rome’s cathedral and seat of the diocese, with an evening Mass attended by Roman priests and faithful.

Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and takes possession of the Roman Cathedra, formalising his role as Bishop of Rome in Rome, Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Pope Leo XIV waves upon his arrival at the Arch Basilica of St. John Lateran where he will presides over a Mass and takes possession of the Roman Cathedra, formalising his role as Bishop of Rome ...