[Bishop of Rome -- Pope Benedict XVI]to be installed at St. John Lateran, the Pope's cathedral

Catholic World News ^ | 05-06-05 | Catholic World News

[Salvation]

Background: St. John Lateran, the Pope's cathedral

Rome, May. 06 (CWNews.com) - On Saturday, May 7, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) will formally take possession of the basilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of the Rome diocese.

Although it has not been the primary home of Roman Pontiffs since the 14th century-- St. Peter's Basilica is the site of most papal liturgical celebrations-- St. John Later remains the Pope's cathedral, and the Roman church par excellence. The name "Lateran" refers to the great patrician family of ancient Rome on his grounds the basilica now stands. For several centuries, the Roman Pontiff lived in the Lateran palace adjacent to the church itself. The massive bronze central doors were taken from the Roman Forum, where the Senate met.

It was in this basilica that Charlemagne was baptized on Easter Sunday in 774. And five councils took place at the basilica: Lateran I in 1123, Lateran II in 1139, Lateran III in 1179, Lateran Iv in 1215, and Lateran V in 1512. It was also at the Lateran Palace that the "Lateran Accords" were signed in 1929, establishing the terms of the agreement which-- with later amendments-- still governs relations between the Vatican city-state and the Italian republic.

Building was begun under the Emperor Constantine, and the basilica was originally consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 324. Damaged during the sack of Rome by Alaric in 410, it was repaired, but demolished by an earthquake in 896. Rebuilt in the 10th century, it was again destroyed, this time by fire, in 1308. Rebuilt once again under Popes Clement V and John XXII in the early 14th century. It was damaged again by both earthquake and fire during that century, but restored each time. The current building-- with a massive nave that makes it second in size only to St. Peter's among the churches of Rome-- was refinished in the 17th and 18th centuries.

[livius]

Is that a Missionary of Charity I spy behind him?

[livius]

When he mentioned wolves at the installation Mass, it sent chills down my spine.

Mine too. I'm not sure what it referred to, but it definitely sounded ominous. The problem is that there are so many wolves about these days, it's hard to know exactly which one to watch.

[netmilsmom]

>> "The new pope has made clear his wish to work for the unity of Christians spread among different Churches -- Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Protestants.

In an unprecedented gesture he sent a message of "cordial" greeting to the chief protestant Church in France, the Reformed Church, which is holding a synod, or general assembly in the south of the country and assuring them of his "prayers", according to the Church."<<

Isn't the "Pope of the Olives" suppose to be a uniter?
Sorry, I just had to throw that in.

[paw prints]

Thank you for the wonderful post! I was able to watch the entire Mass on EWTN and it was truly beautiful!

[ELS]

I am (officially) annoyed that the VatChoir (or whatever) can't or won't just sing the Missa de Angelis. What is their problem?! Their intermixing of some other melody is quite disturbing. They did it again with the Gloria today at St. John Lateran. Ugh. </rant>

[pieces of time]

Does anyone know the two songs, processional and recessional, sung at St. Mary Major? The limited translation I got of the recessional sounded as though it might be specific to St. Mary Major. Thought they also mentioned Benedict by name.

God bless Pope Benedict and keep him strong.

[Lady In Blue]

Did you watch the Holy Father's Installation Mass as Bishop of Rome at St John Latern today? It was fantastic! The encore will be shown again tomorrow. Check your listing.

[Lady In Blue]

I don't know about the other one, but THE MAGNIFICATwas chanted.I just love it. You may remember that it was the same recessional hymn used at Pope John Paul ll's funeral Mass.

[Salvation]

EWTN might have that homily. Maybe we can check and post it on this thread.

[Salvation]

Thank you for those photos, FRiend.

[Salvation]

Cardinal Bernard Law reads during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Mary Major basilica, in Rome, Saturday May 7, 2005 to pay homage to an icon of Mary.(AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

Reuters - Sat May 7, 3:57 PM ET Pope Benedict XVI waves inside Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Pope Benedict XVI prays inside the Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome May 7, 2005. Pope Benedict XVI pledged on Saturday to follow the strict line of his predecessor and defend traditional Catholic teachings from 'fashionable' ideas that threaten to destroy the faith. REUTERS/Max Rossi

A view of St. John Lateran during the Pope Benedict XVI installation mass, Saturday, May 7, 2005.The Pope completed his installation as pontiff by presiding over Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, his cathedral as bishop of Rome, before paying homage to an icon of Mary at another Roman basilica, St. Mary Major. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti)

[bornacatholic]

Welcome, sister. I just read your very impressive home page. It's folks like you who continue to strengthen us

[ninenot]

Sorry, I didn't hear the Mass. Some niece of mine was getting married and She Who Must Be Obeyed thought I should show up...

You're lucky to have heard what you did. I was forced to participate in a Mass celebrated by a contumacious Jesuit, who re-arranged the words of the Canon and the Our Father, who ordered the congregation to stand throughout the Canon, etc., etc.

Of course, my family KNELT during the Canon--all 11 of us, and the various boy/girl friends of my children. We were up in front, too.

Heh, heh, heh.

[Carolina]

Welcome, sister.

Thank you very much. I have so much to learn, and with each new thing that I learn, a chord resonates deeply. I'm humbled at this mountain to climb.

Here's Benedetto at the window today:

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful from his studio's window overlooking St. Peter Square at the Vatican, Sunday May 8, 2005. The pontiff said Sunday that the media can spread peace but also ferment violence and he called on journalists to exercise responsibility to ensure objective reports that respect human dignity and the common good. At right, Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary Georg Gaenswein. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)

With the new tapestry and papal coat of arms.

[ELS]

With the new tapestry and papal coat of arms.

It's about time. :-) Now, when is he going to have a new crucifix/crozier?

[ELS]

Given your alternative, I guess I was lucky.

Of course, my family KNELT during the Canon--all 11 of us, and the various boy/girl friends of my children. We were up in front, too.

Heh, heh, heh.

Bravi! All part of being the Church Militant.

[EchoLane]

I understand that that crozier belongs to the Vatican, and was make in the time of John 23rd...it's just being passed on...

Tradition...I love it!

Long live Benedict! Pray that he has a long life and remarkable good health. Pray through the intercession of John Paul the Great!

[ELS]

I heard that Paul VI commissioned that particular crucifix. A crozier is the type of staff with a crook at the top, not an image of Christ on the cross.

[Salvation]

Good for you for kneeling.

I just don't get some of these priests!

[Salvation]

Pope Outlines His Vision of the Papacy [POPE VOWS TO STICK TO GUNS ON ABORTION AND EUTHANASIA]