Pope Sergius IV was the bishop of Rome and nominal ruler of the Papal States from 31 July 1009 to his death. His temporal power was eclipsed by the patrician John Crescentius. Sergius IV may have call
Tomb of Sergius IV in St John Lateran (18th century)
The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, commonly known as the Lateran Basilica or Saint John Lateran, is the Catholic cathedral of the Diocese of Rome in the city of Rome, Italy. It serves as the seat
Pope Sergius IV
…expedition to Jerusalem. Subsequently, Hans Martin Schaller has argued for the document's authenticity. Sergius died on 12 May 1012 and was buried in the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Although not canonized, Sergius is sometimes venerated as a saint by the Benedictines of which he was a member. There was some suspicion that he was…
Main façade by Alessandro Galilei
Next to the formal entrance is the archbasilica's declaration to be the head, or Mother Church, of the entire world, encircled by the laurel wreath and the Papal tiara.
The papal cathedra, the presence of which renders the archbasilica the cathedral of Rome, is located in its apse. The decorations are in cosmatesque style.
The high altar and the 14th-century Gothic ciborium. The relic of the original wooden altar used by Saint Peter comprises the high altar. Above the ciborium are statues of SS Peter and Paul.