Papal Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran

#visitrome The full name: The Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran, shortly known as Papal Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran. It serves as the Catholic Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, which also serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome, the Pope. It is also the highest ranking among the four major papal Basilica, which earned the title of Archbasilica. Founded in Year 334, it serves as the oldest public church in Rome. The South Wall has 6 statues erected with figures of Saint Simon, Saint Bartholomew, Saint James the Lesser, Saint Peter while the north wall stands Saint Paul, Saint James the Greater, Saint Thomas, Saint Philip, Saint Matthew and Saint Jude Thaddeaus. The Archbasilica also holds 6 papal tombs, and it is also claimed that the skull of Saint Peter and Saint Paul resided in the archbasilica dur8ng the 9th century.