Q. 1. Why does the Catholic Church celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome?

A. 1. As the Bishop of Rome, the Pope's Church in that city is the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. The Pope's Church is not Saint Peter's Basilica as many believe.

The property of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran was given to the Church in 313 by Constantine. For many years since then, until 1309, it remained as the home of the Roman Pontiff.