San Giovanni in Laterano (St. John Lateran) gets no love. Literally. Although it is the basilica dedicated to the Bishop of Rome (i.e., the Pope), the Vatican hasn’t even created a website for it (else we couldn’t find it)! Nevertheless, San Giovanni proves important this time of year as it is the site of the Pope’s address on Maunday Thursday.

San Giovanni in Laterano
Address: Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 4 (Laterano)
Phone: 06-698-86433
Web: Wikipedia’s Page on St. John Lateran (best current source)
Getting There: Metro Line A to San Giovanni stop; Buses 4, 16, 85, 87; Trams 13, 30B
History: This massive church not far from the Colosseum contains the papal throne and its adjacent Lateran Palace was the home of the Pope until the early 14th century when the seat of the Holy See was moved to Avignon, France. Like St. Peter’s Square, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano has an ancient Egyptian obelisk. The Lateran complex is perhaps best known for the giant statues on the basilica’s façade and the Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs) on which Christ walked during his Passion.
What’s Cool: St. John’s day on June 24 is marked at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano with a feast of snails and suckling pig. Foodies, mark your calendars!

Photo © britten4ever

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Palm Sunday - April 1 – marks the beginning of Settimana Santa, or Holy Week, in Rome. Here’s a brief schedule for attending services over which Pope Benedict will preside. More info is available on the Vatican website.

Sunday, April 1 – Palm Sunday
St. Peter’s Square, 9:30 a.m.

Monday, April 2 – Holy Monday
St. Peter’s Square, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 5 – Maunday Thursday
Chrismal Mass, Vatican Basilica, 9:30 a.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Basilica of St. John Lateran, 5:30 p.m.

Friday, April 6 – Good Friday
Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, Vatican Basilica, 5 p.m.
Stations of the Cross, Colosseum, 9:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 7 – Holy Saturday
Easter Vigil in the Holy Night, Vatican Basilica, 10 p.m.

Sunday, April 8 – Easter Sunday
Mass of the Day, St. Peter’s Square, 10:30 a.m.
“Urbi et Orbi” Message and Blessing, Vatican Basilica, noon

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