The main facade of the basilica San Giovanni by Alessandro Galilei (1735); the Lateran Palace and the Triclinium Leoninum. - Left: Founded during the fourth century; Saint John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano; basilique Saint-Jean de Latran; Lateranbasilika ) is the Cathedral of Rome; the most important of the four major basilicas and the oldest christian church. It is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.First Construction: 4th century (324);Reconstruction : 17th century. - Center: From the fourth century; the palace was the principal residence of the popes; and continued so for about a thousand years until the Apostolic Residence ultimately moved to the Vatican.- right: The so-called Triclinium Leoninum (Triclinum of Pope Leo III) which was erected by Ferdinando Fuga in 1743 for Pope Benedict XIV (r. 1740-58). The Triclinium Leoninum is a homage to the famous 9th century banqueting hall that Pope Leo III (r. 795-816) built for the ancient Lateran Palace; which once stood on the site of the 16th century palace of the same name. Rome; Italy (2020)