Basilicas in Italy—Rome—4

Basilica of Pudentiana, Rome

Church of a cardinal and a Station church

This church is considered the oldest Christian church in Rome.  Originally built in the 2nd Century, it is built over the remains of the home of St. Pudens, father to Saints Pudentiana and Praxedes, and perhaps the first converts of St. Peter in Rome.  St. Pudentiana is buried here.  It served as the Pope’s residence until 313.  A mosaic is one of the earliest representations of the Incarnation.  Today’s Renaissance and Baroque church is mostly the result of 16th Century renovations.  The basilica has been the church of a cardinal since at least 1278 and is the national church for the Filipino community in Rome.

The top picture is from a local source and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of the Four Holy Crowned Martyrs, Rome

Church of a cardinal and a Station church

The church is dedicated to early Christian martyrs who were either stonemasons or soldiers.  During their 1084 sack of Rome, the Normans completely burned this church.  The current, smaller, Romanesque church dates to the 12th Century.  A convent of Augustinian nuns has been here since 1564.  It has been the church of a cardinal since at least 595, two of whom went on to become Pope.  Another—King Henry of Portugal—was both a king and a cardinal.  The current titular cardinal is Roger Mahony, retired Archbishop of Los Angeles.

The first two pictures are from local sources and the last two are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Saba, Rome

Church of a cardinal

Some type of structure existed here in the 6th Century as a home for Pope St. Gregory the Great and his mother.  Monks from a community in Palestine founded by St. Saba came here in the 7th Century to escape Islamic encroachment.  It soon became one of the most important monasteries in Europe and popes used the community to maintain relations with Catholics in the East.  It became richly endowed. It became less important in the 10th Century but the building has been renovated many times since especially in the 12th and 13th Centuries.  It has been administered by the Jesuits since 1573 and has been the titular church of a cardinal since 1959.

The first picture is from a local source and the last two are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Sabina, Rome

Church of a cardinal and a Station church

The church was built in the 5th Century but has been substantially remodeled over the centuries.  It was previously the site of St. Sabina’s home—Sabina was an early Christian.  The church was given to St. Dominic in 1219 and it has been the home of the Dominican Order ever since.  Saints Dominic, Thomas Aquinas, and Hyacinth have all lived here.  The church has cypress wood doors carved around 430 depicting Jesus’ crucifixion with the two thieves—the first known public representation of that event.  The Basilica is the first station church—the Pope presides over Ash Wednesday Mass here.  It has been the church of a cardinal since 423.

The first picture is from a local source, and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Sebastian outside the Walls, Rome

Church of a cardinal

This site was a Christian cemetery (catacombs) by the 3rd Century and Saints Peter and Paul were once buried here.  A church was built in the early 4th Century to honor St. Sabastian, a 3rd Century martyr.  The remains of St. Sebastian were moved to St. Peter’s Basilica in the 9th Century prior to a Saracen attack which destroyed the Basilica of St. Sebastian.  It was quickly rebuilt, although the current Baroque structure dates to the 17th Century.  Of note is a bust of the Savior by Gian Bernini—one of his last works.  Fabian, a 3rd Century pope, is buried here and the basilica has been the titular church of a cardinal since 1962.

The first picture is from Dreamstime and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Sixtus, Rome

Church of a cardinal and a Station church

The church is dedicated to Pope St. Sixtus II and was originally built in the 4th Century.  Sixtus was martyred by the Romans in 258 along with six of his deacons.  His relics and those of other popes were eventually moved to this church.  It was rebuilt in the 13th Century and restored, in a Baroque style, in the 18th Century.  Dominican nuns have had a convent here for centuries and the basilica has been the titular church of a cardinal since 600. 

The first picture is from a local source, and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on Celian Hill, Rome

Church of a cardinal and Station church

The church was built in the 5th Century on the site of a Roman temple and army barracks.  It was initially dedicated only to St. Stephen the Martyr but was later also dedicated to St. Stephen, the first King of Hungary.  It is the national church of Hungary and was also the first church in Rome to be built in a circular style.  The church has been restored and embellished several times of the centuries.  It has been the church of a cardinal (one of whom became pope) since 499.

The first three pictures are from local sources and the last is from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Vitalis and Martyr Companians, Rome

Church of a cardinal and Station church

The church was built in the late 4th Century and has been embellished many times over the years.  It is dedicated to St. Vitalis, his wife, St. Valeria, and their sons, Sts. Gervase and Protase, all 2nd Century martyrs.  It is considered the most frescoed basilica in Rome.  It has been the church of a cardinal since 499.  These cardinals have included one pope and one Saint—John Fisher. 

The first picture is from a local source, and the others are from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Mary in Montesanto, Rome

Church of a cardinal

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Leo XII in 1825.

This baroque church was built in the 17th Century and has had a Mass every year since 1953 recognizing art and culture.  The future Pope John XXIII was ordained a priest here in 1905.  The statues of saints on the exterior are thought to have been designed by Bernini.  It has been the church of a cardinal only since 2023.

The first picture is from a local source and the second is from Wikipedia.

Basilica of St. Lawrence in Lucina, Rome

Church of a cardinal and a Station church

Declared a minor basilica by Pope Pius X in 1908.

The church was originally constructed in the 4th Century but has been upgraded many times since.  Lucina refers to a Roman woman who allowed the church to be built on her property.  It has been the church of a cardinal since 684—a least two of whom went on to become pope.  

Both pictures are from Wikipedia.