Saint John Lateran
Arcibasilica Papale di San Giovanni in Laterano
Founded in AD 324, Saint John Lateran is the oldest public church in Rome and the cathedral of Rome — the Pope’s own church as Bishop of Rome, inscribed over its door as ‘mother and head of all churches in the city and the world.’ It is a Papal Major Archbasilica and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches.
Highlights
01
The Façade
Alessandro Galilei’s façade, crowned by twelve monumental statues of Christ and the Apostles.
02
Borromini’s Interior
Francesco Borromini’s Baroque renovation of the interior.
03
The Lateran Baptistery
The Lateran Baptistery, founded by Sixtus III.
04
Busts of Peter and Paul
Reliquary busts said to contain relics of Saints Peter and Paul.
05
Five Ecumenical Councils
Site of five ecumenical councils.
06
The Papal Cathedra
The cathedra of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, which the basilica describes as the sign of his role as pastor.
Opening Hours
7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (daily, free entry)
Mass Times
Weekdays at 7:15 a.m. (Cappella Massimo); 8 a.m. (Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica); 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Cappella Massimo); 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica).
Sundays and Holy Days at 7 a.m. (Abside); 8 a.m. (Abside/Cappella Adorazione Eucaristica); 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Papal Altar).
Ordinary timetable, per the basilica’s official site; a separate July–August timetable applies.
Eucharistic Adoration
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. (afternoon adoration is suspended from mid-June to mid-September)
Museum & Other Visitor Areas
Museum: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (daily)
Cloister: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon–Sat, closed Sundays/holidays)
Baptistry: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (daily)
Lateran Palace: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Mon–Sat)
Excavations: by reservation (Mon–Sat only, groups max 20, reservation required 72 hrs in advance)