2-888-594 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

St. John Lateran - Rome, 1850. 'Pope Sylvester, under the immediate auspices of the Emperor, and with the funds furnished by him for the purpose, erected a magnificent church on part of the Lateran grounds, and attached to the palace, and dedicated it to the Apostles St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Hence the name which the Basilica still bears. It has, ever since its first foundation, been regarded as the especial cathedral church of the Pope in his capacity of Bishop of the See of Rome, who accordingly, on his elevation to the pontificate, enters upon its possession with due ceremonial and formality, and there receives the triple crown or tiara, the fisherman's ring, and all the other Papal insignia which denote at the coronation of a Pope his investiture...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.