Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is a church in Rome, Italy. The church is the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, which is why it is sometimes called the "Papal Basilica of St. John in Lateran". It is the oldest of the four major basilicas of Rome, and is considered to be the mother church of the Roman Catholic Church.

The church was originally built in the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine, on the site of a previous basilica that had been destroyed by fire. It was the first church in Rome to be consecrated by a pope, and has been the papal seat of Rome ever since. The church has undergone many changes and renovations over the centuries, most notably in the 17th century when its façade was rebuilt by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

When it was first built, the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano was the largest church in the world. It is still the largest basilica in Rome, and can accommodate thousands of people at a time. The church is home to many important works of art, including a 13th-century fresco cycle by Pietro Cavallini, and a 16th-century marble sculpture of the "Resurrection" by Michelangelo.

The Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano is also the home of the Holy staircase. The staircase was brought to Rome by St. Helena in the 4th century. It is believed to be the staircase that Jesus climbed during his trial before Pontius Pilate.

The Basilica of Saint John Lateran is the oldest and ranks first among the four papal basilicas of Rome. It is the cathedral church of the diocese of Rome and the seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. The Lateran Palace is attached to the basilica by the Scala Sancta, a staircase reputedly climbed by Jesus during his Passion. The basilica is the largest in Rome. The interior of the basilica is a nave and two aisles, divided by four rows of gigantic Corinthian columns, 24 on each side. The transept consists of three aisles. At the far end of the transept is the apse with the high altar and the cathedra, the Pope's chair. In front of the apse is the ambulatory, ringed by more columns.

The basilica has a nave and two aisles, which are divided by four rows of twenty-eight columns. The transept has three aisles, with a total of fourteen columns. The apse has the high altar and the cathedra, which is the Pope's chair. In front of the apse is the ambulatory, which is ringed by more columns.

The basilica is decorated with a wealth of art, including several important works by Michelangelo. The ceiling of the nave, the open-air apse as well as the walls are all painted with mosaics, and depict images of Christ and his followers.