Lateran, The

The, a palace in the eastern part of Rome. The original site and palace belonged to a Roman family of the name. Nero put the last owner to death and appropriated the palace. Constantine gave it to the bishops of Rome. Until the middle of the fourteenth century the Lateran was the usual residence of the pope. In 1308 it suffered from fire, and in 1586 the ancient edifice was completely destroyed by Pope Sixtus V. A new palace was built in its place, but it has never been used as a papal residence. It was for a time an orphan asylum. It is now a museum of classical sculpture and early Christian antiquities. The church of St. John Lateran is the original cathedral of which the Pope is bishop. In its present form it dates from 1370. It is a marble edifice with five notable naves and a beautiful transept. Five Lateran councils held sessions in St. John's. The Lateran Council of 1215 summoned by Pope Innocent III was attended by patriarchs, and representatives of princes, and by 412 bishops and 800 abbots and priors. See Vatican; St. Peter