Significance of Lateran Basilica and St. Peter Basilica

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Dear all,

I understand each diocese possesses one cathedral. I know the cathedral of Rome is Lateran Arch-basilica.

Then what is the significance of Saint Peter basilica which is not a cathedral?
 
The Lateran is the #1 Church for all Catholics, It is an Arch-basilica and is the “seat” of the Pope. St. Peter’s does hold many official ceremonies, and most importantly is the place where the bones of St. Peter are. is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter’s was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Contrary to what one might reasonably assume, St. Peter’s is not a cathedral - that honor in Rome goes to St. John Lateran. As I said, St. Peter’s Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was crucified and buried. St. Peter’s tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century.
 
In Rome there are four Papal Basilicas. The Basilicas of St Peter, St John Lateran, St Paul Outside the Walls, and St Mary Major. Here is some very basic information regarding the four Papal Basilicas. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_basilica

I have had the privilege to visit all four. Of the four, St Mary Major was especially special for me, I actually visited there a few times as well as attending Mass there.
 
Chatter163 said:
Have you researched what a basilica is?
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Chatter163,

After all, Lateran is arch-basilica, the spacious and biggest church. Churches size differ from chapel to Basilica and finally the arch-basilica.
 
pianistclare said:
The Lateran is the #1 Church for all Catholics, It is an Arch-basilica and is the “seat” of the Pope. St. Peter’s does hold many official ceremonies, and most importantly is the place where the bones of St. Peter are. is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter’s was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Contrary to what one might reasonably assume, St. Peter’s is not a cathedral - that honor in Rome goes to St. John Lateran. As I said, St. Peter’s Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was crucified and buried. St. Peter’s tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century.
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pianistclare,

If on reads the resignation letter of Benedict XVI it said he was renouncing both the “See of Rome” and “The See of Peter”, which shaped my understand that we have two “sees” in Rome.
 
Joseph_Misango said:
pianistclare,

If on reads the resignation letter of Benedict XVI it said he was renouncing both the “See of Rome” and “The See of Peter”, which shaped my understand that we have two “sees” in Rome.
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Are you forgetting that the Vatican is it’s own city-state and not really part of the city of Rome, although it is within the city? The Pope is the Bishop of Rome (See of Rome) and also the Pope-- the leader of the universal church (the See of Peter), which is located in the Vatican.
 
All Church Basilicas in the world are built in remembrance of the Royal Basilica constructed by Herod the Great during his renovation of the Temple Mount at the end of the 1st century BCE. Because this was where Jesus was teaching every day.
 
A bishop’s cathedral is within his diocese. Since the Pope is the Bishop of Rome and the Vatican is not part of the Diocese of Rome, his cathedral is St. John Lateran.
 
Angel_Bradford said:
I mis-typed; I should have said that Vatican City is not in Rome.
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Doesn’t matter. The Pope could transfer his seat to St. Anne’s and that would become the Cathedral of Rome, even if it’s in Vatican City. Vatican City is within the territory of the diocese of Rome, so there is nothing preventing St. Anne’s, St. Peter’s or any other church in Rome or Vatican City from becoming Rome’s Cathedral.

It’s only that St. John in Lateran has the historic claim to the Chair, and it would make no sense to deprive it of its historic status. But the Pope has to the power to do so.
 
porthos11 said:
Doesn’t matter. The Pope could transfer his seat to St. Anne’s and that would become the Cathedral of Rome, even if it’s in Vatican City. Vatican City is within the territory of the diocese of Rome, so there is nothing preventing St. Anne’s, St. Peter’s or any other church in Rome or Vatican City from becoming Rome’s Cathedral.

It’s only that St. John in Lateran has the historic claim to the Chair, and it would make no sense to deprive it of its historic status. But the Pope has to the power to do so.
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I’m pretty sure that goes without saying…
 
One’s a big church that houses the cathedra of the Bishop of Rome (St. John Lateran) and the other is an even bigger church (St Peter’s Basilica) that houses the symbolic Chair of St. Peter and is the purported site of the saint’s execution and burial. One (St. John Lateran) is the Cathedral of the Roman diocese, the other (St. Peter’s) is not.
 
PNEUMA said:
All Church Basilicas in the world are built in remembrance of the Royal Basilica constructed by Herod the Great during his renovation of the Temple Mount at the end of the 1st century BCE. Because this was where Jesus was teaching every day.
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I suppose this is somewhat true, to the extent that every church is built in remembrance of that structure (and I think that’s a pretty minimal extent). As a general rule, basilica’s are regular churches and shrines that are later elevated to the rank of basilica.
 
Joseph_Misango said:
Chatter163,

After all, Lateran is arch-basilica, the spacious and biggest church. Churches size differ from chapel to Basilica and finally the arch-basilica.
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Basilica can indeed refer to an architectural style, but it has a canonical meaning, as well. It is the canonical definition of basilica that you should investigate, as basilicas come in many sizes, shapes and forms.
 
Joseph_Misango said:
Chatter163,

After all, Lateran is arch-basilica, the spacious and biggest church. Churches size differ from chapel to Basilica and finally the arch-basilica.
Click to expand...
Actually Lateran is not the biggest… that would be St. Peter’s. Arch basilica does not refer to its size. but rather to its place in the hierarchy of Papal basilicas. As the Papal Cathedral it is first among them.
 
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