Patriarchal basilica
From Churches of Rome Wiki
A patriarchal basilica or major basilica is a church in which the high altar has been set aside for use by the Pope or his representative.
The name patriarchal refers to the churches being assigned to one of the patriarchs. There are four patriarchal basilicas:
- San Giovanni in Laterano (St John Lateran, the Pope)
- San Pietro in Vaticano (St Peter's Basilica, Patriarch of Constantinople)
- Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major, Patriarch of Antioch)
- San Paolo fuori le mura (St Paul outside the Walls, Patriarch of Alexandria)
