Santa Maria Maggiore - The Basilica is located near the Termini metro station in Rome, it has an amazing roof and a big bell tower. It features one of the holly doors in the city and there are crowds of people visiting the place daily.

A Spiritual and Artistic Revelation: Basilica of St. John Lateran - Visiting the Basilica of St. John Lateran as part of my pilgrimage retracing the steps of St. Francis of Assisi was an experience I’ll never forget. As an artist, filmmaker, photographer, and Catholic, I was utterly blown away by the profound beauty, history, and spiritual depth of this incredible basilica. From the moment I approached the grand façade, I knew I was about to step into something extraordinary. The Basilica of St. John Lateran, the official cathedral of the Pope and the oldest of Rome’s four major basilicas, immediately felt like a sacred gateway into the heart of the Church’s history. Inside, I was struck by the sheer magnificence of the architecture. The soaring ceilings, intricate mosaics, and gilded details left me in awe. Every corner of the basilica felt alive with faith and artistry. The massive statues of the apostles that line the nave are nothing short of masterpieces—they exude a sense of strength, humility, and devotion that is both inspiring and humbling. For me, as both a Catholic and a creative, the Basilica felt like a testament to how deeply intertwined faith and art can be. The interplay of light streaming through the windows, illuminating the ornate decorations, seemed to symbolize the divine grace that inspires human creativity. I couldn’t help but think about the artists and craftsmen who poured their souls into this work. Their vision and dedication were clearly guided by something greater than themselves. The history of the Basilica only deepened the experience. Knowing that this site has been the spiritual home of the Papacy for centuries and has witnessed countless moments in the Church’s history gave me a profound sense of connection to the universal Church. Standing in a place where so many saints and pilgrims have prayed before me was an indescribable feeling. As a photographer, I was in heaven. Every angle offered a new story, a new perspective to capture. The symmetry of the columns, the textures of the ancient walls, and the grandeur of the altar—all of it felt like a canvas waiting to be immortalized. The visual richness of the Basilica was overwhelming in the best way possible. Spiritually, the visit was deeply moving. I felt a sense of peace and renewal as I walked through the sacred space, pausing to pray and reflect on my own faith journey. Being on this pilgrimage, retracing the steps of St. Francis of Assisi, had already been transformative, but St. John Lateran added another layer of inspiration and meaning. If you’re ever in Rome, whether you’re Catholic, an artist, or simply someone who appreciates beauty and history, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is a must-see. It’s more than a church—it’s a celebration of faith, creativity, and the enduring spirit of devotion. I left feeling inspired, connected, and profoundly grateful for the experience.

A meaningful tour to complete visiting the holy doors on Rome (other than St. Peter’s) - We already had a tour which included St. Peter’s Basilica. My daughter and I actually registered with the Vatican website to note our chosen dates/schedules to enter the other open holy doors within the period of our stay in Rome (St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran). I thought of taking Uber rides to get to these places. I think this still would have been possible and much cheaper. It would’ve taken longer and if you can research about these places and don’t mind taking a longer time to go through these, I think you’ll be fine. Since this was our first family trip in Europe together, since we had provision for this tour, I decided to book it for the convenience of being picked up, driven around without worries, have the chance to go through the open holy doors of St Mary Major, St. John Lateran (such a blessed experience I am grateful for during this pilgrimage of our family in this Jubilee year) on January 3 (our chosen tour date) and visit the basilica and holy door of St. Paul outside the walls (holy door would be open Jan 5 but we would not be in Rome then anymore). I appreciated our Tour leader Tatiana for the highlights she shared with us. Loved knowing about the images of all 266 popes painted in St. Paul, of the Easter Candle, of the reconstruction of the basilica and how this was once the largest basilica in the world and that it’s now the 4th), learning about St. Stephen (the first Christian martyr), St Lawrence (the first Roman Christian), the reason behind why St. Paul was beheaded and St. Peter crucified. Amazed knowing about the bodies of St. Paul and St. Peter buried there. Amazed knowing about and seeing the encased wood relics from the crib of Jesus in St. Mary Major. Grateful to learn about the first Jubilee (1300), held every 100 years, then every 50 years, then every 25 years. Learned how popes were enthroned at St. John Lateran and how this Church is the oldest public church in Rome. Thank you, Tatiana! It would’ve been nice if time was managed so that we could have spent more time in St. Mary Major and in St. John Lateran compared to the time we spent in St. Paul outside the walls. This tour definitely made our trip a meaningful pilgrimage. Grateful also that Tatiana was kind enough to take our family photo in each siteThank you also, Paul, for driving for us. ❤️ Grateful also for Viator accommodating that we be picked up /dropped off at our hotel which was not among the pick-up locations in the Viator app. Thank you, Lord, for this pilgrimage experience for our family!

Way beyond any expectation - Having an archeologist as a tour guide was beyond any expectation! John Carlo shared his knowledge and helped us understand the history behind the details. What an incredible experience. He was as kind and respectful as knowledgeable.

A Must See - The basilicas were so beautiful and filled with so much history. The tour guide was very knowledgeable. Well worth the money.