Lateran

Lateran, CHURCH OF ST JOHN, the first in dignity of the Roman churches, and styled in Roman usage 'the Mother and Head of all the churches of the city and the world;' as cathedral church of Rome it surpasses St Peter's in dignity. It is called Lateran from its occupying the site of the splendid palace of Plautius Lateranus, which, having escheated (66 A.D.) in consequence of Lateranus being implicated in the conspiracy of the Pisos, became imperial property, and was given to St Sylvester by the Emperor Constantine. It was originally dedicated to the Saviour; but Lucius II., who rebuilt it in the middle of the 12th century, dedicated it to St John the Baptist; in 1586 it was completely demolished by Sixtus V., and rebuilt from plans by Fontana. It has been the scene of five councils, regarded as ecumenical by the Roman Church (see COUNCIL). The Lateran Palace was the habitual residence of the popes till the 14th century. It is now under the control of the Italian government. Pius IX. converted a portion of it into a museum of classical sculpture and early Christian antiquities. In the piazza of the church stands the celebrated relic called the 'Scala Santa,' or 'Holy Staircase,' which is reputed to be the stairs of Pilate's house at Jerusalem, made holy by the feet of our Lord as he passed to judgment.