St. John Lateran

On Patrick’s birthday, June 6th, we visited some pretty awe inspiring places. 

• Catacombs (which I wrote about on that day)
• Basilica of St. John Lateran (my topic for today)
• The Holy Stairs
• The 9/11 Monument
• The Vatican—Sistine Chapel
• The Vatican—Swiss Guard
• The Vatican—St. Peter’s Cathedral 
• The Vatican—St. Peter’s Square

Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in the Lateran

This is the official title for the church. The land for it had belonged to a family whose last name was Lateran. It honors both John the Baptist and John who wrote Revelation. It is considered to be the Mother Church of the world and for that reason, it bears the title, “Archbasilica.” Most people we talked with refered to it simply as “St John Lateran.”

Look at the people in the arches of the front to get some perspective of how big this place is. 

Not being Catholic, I was a little confused about this being the Pope’s church. St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is often used by the Pope. But the Pope is also considered to be Bishop of Rome. And this is the cathedral church of Rome’s Bishop. So, this is the Pope’s church. 

The Baroque style incorporated a lot of gold. 

I was drawn to all the huge sculptures along the perimeter inside the church. They stand 23 feet tall and are all on the second level but visible from below in the main sanctuary. 

This is St. Paul. He is usually depicted with a sword. I thought that might be because he shared the Word of God (sharper than a two-edged sword) wherever he went. But apparently it is because in the end he was beheaded with a sword. 

I can’t imagine the precision required to create this tile floor. I’d venture to say that the design just might find its way into my art.

This is the Apostle Peter. He is most often shown holding the keys to the gates of heaven and hell. 

This is Thomas. 

This is Phillip. 

Tradition has it that Bartholomew was skinned alive. Here he is depicted carrying the skinning knife and holding his skin. 

Matthew was a tax collector before he became one of the disciples. I guess that is why he has his right foot on a bag of money. 



This is Pope Leo XIII.

Pictures just can’t do it justice. 

LORD, I am amazed at the talent required to build such a beautiful place as this. I pray that I will be ever mindful of the fact that you are my high priest and I can come to you any time, any where. Thank you.