“Vatican is the home. Lateran is the throne.”

Do you know that the Cathedral of Rome is the most important Church throughout the whole Christendom? Do you know what it is and where?

The “cathedra” or seat of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, is not in the Vatican. It is not the Saint Peter’s Basilica. It is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, the most important church.

About 5 kilometers from the Vatican, it is one of the 7 churches for a pilgrimage in Rome in the middle ages. At its door is inscribed “Omnium Ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis Mater et Caput” which means Mother and Head of All the Churches in the City and in the World.

Facing the huge Basilica, about 200 meters on your left, is an image made of bronze raising his hands. He is the poor Saint Francis of Assisi who came to visit Pope Innocent III on barefoot in 1209 seeking approval of his Rule. He was refused.

But at that night, the Pope had a dream of a collapsing church. There in his dream, Pope Innocent III saw a man who was to rebuild the church. The image was Saint Francis. So he called him back and accepted Saint Francis’ request. And the Franciscans were born.

On your right, about a hundred meters stands the so called “Scala Santa” or Holy Steps which is known to have been brought by Saint Helena from Jerusalem in the year 326. The 28 marble steps at traditionally accepted as the steps of the Praetorium of Pontius Pilate. Jesus claimed on it before he was condemned to die.

Saint John Lateran Basilica as a place donated by the rich Lateran family, is dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. It served as the home of the Pope for a thousand years before the Avignon Papacy in 1309-1376 fir safety of the Pope due to conflict of leading authorities including King Philip IV.

When Pope Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1377, he found Saint John Lateran Basilica in ruins. While thinking of it’s restoration, he settled for safety from fire and attacks in the Vatican. The Dedication of Saint John Lateran Basilica reminds us that every new Pope takes possession of his cathedral at Saint John Lateran. This may be one of the reasons why Pope Francis chose to be buried there.

“Vatican is the home. Lateran in the throne.”