ST. PETER'S BASILICA

The Basilica of Saint Peter is one of the four major basilicas of Rome (San Giovanni in Laterano, San Pietro, Santa Maria Maggiore and San Paulo) in Vatican City enclave. It used to be the largest church in Christianity (yet see Yamoussoukro) covering an area of 5.7 acres (23,000 m²) and has a capacity of over 60,000 people. It holds the burial site of St. Peter who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, first Bishop of Antioch, and later first Bishop of Rome. Many Popes, starting with the first ones, have been buried there. Construction on the current basilica began on April 18, 1506 and was completed in 1626, and was built over the Constantinian basilica. Although the Vatican basilica is not the Pope's official ecclesiastical seat (Saint John Lateran), it is most certainly his principal church, as most Papal ceremonies take place at St Peter's due to its size, proximity to the Papal residence, and location within the Vatican City walls.