Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Your first stop is the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. A gift from Constantine I to his mother Helen, who built a small chapel to house the relics of the Holy Cross which she found in Jerusalem and transported to Rome. Later this small chapel, originally basilica Eleniana, became the great basilica it is today. This basilica is also one of the stops on the “7 Churches” route that pilgrims used to make on foot during Holy Week.
Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
Next, stop by the cathedral of Rome and the seat of the Pope himself. The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the most important church in the world and the most ancient! It is one of the 4 papal basilicas in Rome, and it was the original residence of the popes up until the 14th century.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Next you'll see the basilica that is said to have been commissioned by the Blessed Virgin Mary herself! She appeared to both Pope Liberius and a Roman Patrician, Giovanni, telling them she wished a church to be built in her honor. On August 5th, the Blessed Mother sent a miraculous snowfall, which rested on the Esquiline hill and outlined the layout of the church! Thus she earned her named "Lady of the Snows", and the basilica is now home to the manger of the Christ child.
Basilica Papale San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Your last stop will be St. Paul's Outside the Walls. Located on the outskirts of the ancient Aurelian wall, the burial place of St. Paul was originally a small memorial building called a Cella Memoriae. However, Constantine I commissioned a larger basilica to be built on top of the Cella Memoriae to honor St. Paul. It has been demolished and rebuilt several times, undergoing many restorations and expansions. It was the largest church in Rome until St. Peter’s was built.
