Top 7 Catholic Churches in Rome!

Eternal City! Rome, I’ve been so many times, and I never have enough. I want to explore more and more, revisit the same places, and discover new ones. Recently I had a chance to be in Rome again, right at the beginning of the Jubilee Year, I was able to walk through three out of four Holy Doors that you can find in Rome. I decided to write this article to show you my favorite Catholic Churches in Rome and some unique relics and art you can find inside. Let’s go for an adventure!

Top 7 Catholic Churches in Rome

1. St. Peter Basilica

This church does not need an introduction, must be seen by every human being, as an absolute masterpiece, the biggest Catholic Church in the world, with an area of over 15,000 square meters. St. Peter’s Basilica of course is located in Vatican City and was built on the site of St. Peter’s martyrdom, it is said to house his tomb beneath the main altar. Construction began in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1626.

The Basilica showcases masterpieces by legendary artists:

• Michelangelo’s Dome: A marvel of Renaissance architecture, visible across Rome.
• Bernini’s Baldachin: The ornate bronze canopy over the main altar.
• Pietà by Michelangelo: A stunning sculpture of Mary cradling Jesus, created when Michelangelo was just 24 years old.

Relics include the Chair of St. Peter (Cathedra Petri), a symbol of papal authority, and numerous artifacts revered by pilgrims worldwide.

Holy Mass Times:

Sunday and holidays

7am: Altar of St. Joseph
8am: Altar of St. Joseph
9am: Altar of the Cathedra
10:30 am: Chapter Altar of the Cathedra
12:30 pm: Altar of the Cathedra
4pm: Altar of the Cathedra
5pm: Altar of the Cathedra
6pm: Altar of the Cathedra

Weekdays

7 am: Altar of St. Joseph
7:30 am: Altar of St. Joseph
8:30 am: Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
9 am: Altar of St. Joseph 
10 am: Altar of St. Joseph
11 am: Altar of the Cathedra
Noon: Altar of the Cathedra
5 pm: Altar of the Cathedra
6 pm: Altar of the Cathedra
9 pm: Eucharistic Adoration Altar of the Confessio

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2. St. Mary Major Basilica

St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore) in Rome is one of the city’s most ancient and significant basilicas, renowned for its rich history, stunning art, and sacred relics.

The basilica was commissioned by Pope Sixtus III in the 5th century (around 432 AD) to honor the Virgin Mary after the Council of Ephesus proclaimed her as the “Mother of God.” It is the largest Marian church in Rome and one of the four major papal basilicas.

Art and Architecture

• 5th-Century Mosaics: The nave is adorned with exquisite mosaics depicting scenes from the Old Testament, created shortly after the basilica’s construction.
• The Triumphal Arch Mosaics: These depict the early life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, showcasing brilliant Byzantine artistry.
• The Ceiling: Gilded with the first gold brought back from the Americas, gifted by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain.
• Bernini’s Tomb: The renowned sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini is buried here, adding to the basilica’s artistic legacy.

Relics

St. Mary Major is home to some of the most venerated relics in Christianity:

• The Holy Crib (Sacra Culla): A relic of the manger where Jesus was laid, housed in the basilica’s Crypt of the Nativity.
• Icon of Salus Populi Romani: An ancient image of the Virgin Mary, credited with miraculous interventions and revered as a protector of Rome.

Relics include the Chair of St. Peter (Cathedra Petri), a symbol of papal authority, and numerous artifacts revered by pilgrims worldwide.

Holy Mass Times:

Pauline Chapel

Weekdays: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM –  9:00 AM – 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sundays: 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Papal Altar

Eve of Sundays: 6:00 PM
Sundays: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

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3. Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli

The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) in Rome is a treasure trove of history, sacred relics, and extraordinary art. It was originally built in the 5th century (around 432–440 AD) under Emperor Valentinian III to house a revered relic: the chains believed to have bound St. Peter during his imprisonment in Jerusalem.

Art and Architecture

San Pietro in Vincoli is also famous for its remarkable artistic heritage:

• Michelangelo’s Moses: The crowning jewel of the basilica, this marble masterpiece is part of the tomb of Pope Julius II. The statue of Moses, with its lifelike intensity and iconic horns, is considered one of Michelangelo’s finest works.
• Frescoes of St. Peter’s Liberation: These depict scenes of Peter’s miraculous release from prison, tying the art to the basilica’s relics.
• 12th-Century Mosaic Apse: Though modest compared to other Roman basilicas, the apse features intricate mosaics and artwork that reflect its ancient roots.

Relics

The basilica’s central relics are the chains of St. Peter, displayed in a reliquary beneath the main altar. Tradition holds that these chains miraculously fused together when Pope Leo I compared them to those used in Peter’s imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison in Rome.

Holy Mass Times:

Weekdays: 8 am, 12:00 (not July or August);
Saturdays and eves of Solemnities: 5 pm (the only evening Mass in the week);
Sundays and Solemnities: 8 am, 11 am

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4. Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of St. John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano) is the cathedral of Rome and the official seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. It holds the title Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist and is considered the “Mother of all Churches” in Christendom.

Originally built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, it was the first Christian basilica constructed in Rome. Over centuries, it has undergone numerous restorations, blending ancient and Baroque architectural elements.

Art and Architecture

• Breathtaking Facade: The Baroque façade by Alessandro Galilei, completed in 1735, features grand statues of Christ, John the Baptist, and John the Evangelist.
• Cosmatesque Floor: The intricate mosaic flooring showcases medieval craftsmanship.
• 12 Apostles Statues: Inside, colossal Baroque sculptures of the apostles by artists like Bernini’s pupils line the nave.
• Frescoes and Ceiling: The richly adorned coffered ceiling and apse frescoes depict biblical scenes, reflecting its sacred purpose.

Relics

St. John Lateran is home to some of the Church’s most revered relics:

• The Holy Stairs (Scala Sancta): Adjacent to the basilica, these steps are believed to be from Pilate’s palace, ascended by Jesus during His Passion. Pilgrims climb them on their knees in prayer.
• The Altar of the Holy Sacrament: Said to contain fragments of the table used during the Last Supper.
• Reliquaries of St. Peter and St. Paul: Located above the high altar, these relics are housed in ornate reliquaries, signifying the basilica’s apostolic importance.

Holy Mass Times:

Daily Masses: 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am 12 noon and 5 pm
Sunday Masses: (Sat: 5 pm and 6 pm) 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am 12 noon and 6 pm

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5. Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

The Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, located near the Pantheon in Rome, is a rare example of Gothic architecture in the city. Built in the 13th century over the ruins of a temple dedicated to Minerva, it was named “Sopra Minerva” (“Above Minerva”) to signify its Christian transformation.

Art and Architecture

• Michelangelo’s Risen Christ: A powerful marble statue of the resurrected Christ, notable for its dynamic pose and lifelike detail, stands near the main altar.
• Filippino Lippi’s Frescoes: The Carafa Chapel boasts stunning frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and St. Thomas Aquinas.
• Bernini’s Elephant and Obelisk: Outside the basilica stands the iconic sculpture of an elephant carrying an ancient Egyptian obelisk, a playful yet profound creation by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Relics

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva houses significant relics, drawing pilgrims from around the world:

• The Tomb of St. Catherine of Siena: The body of St. Catherine, patron saint of Europe, rests beneath the high altar (her head is in Siena).
• The Remains of Fra Angelico: The Dominican painter and saint, Fra Angelico, is buried here, honored as both an artist and a man of deep faith.
• St. Dominic’s Relics: A reliquary containing relics of St. Dominic is a tribute to the basilica’s connection to the Dominican Order.

Holy Mass Times:

Daily Masses: 7:15 am (no Saturdays), 6 pm 
Sunday Masses: 11 am, 6 pm

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6. Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian

The Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian is a 6th-century church located in the Roman Forum, dedicated to the twin brothers and early Christian martyrs, Cosmas and Damian, renowned for their miraculous healing powers and charity. Pope Felix IV transformed two ancient Roman buildings—a library of an imperial forum and a temple dedicated to Romulus—into this basilica around 527 AD.

Art and Architecture

• Magnificent 6th-Century Apse Mosaic: The highlight of the basilica, the mosaic depicts Christ’s Second Coming with Saints Cosmas and Damian, St. Peter, St. Paul, and Pope Felix IV, who is shown holding a model of the church.
• Cosmatesque Floor: The medieval decorative flooring reflects the artistic style of the Roman Cosmati family.
• Frescoes: The basilica’s walls are adorned with beautiful frescoes, including scenes from the lives of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

Relics

The basilica houses sacred relics of the saints, including:

• The Tombs of Saints Cosmas and Damian: Their remains are enshrined beneath the altar, making the church a revered pilgrimage site.
• Relics of Other Martyrs: The basilica also contains relics of early Christian martyrs, emphasizing its spiritual significance.

Holy Mass Times:

Daily Masses: 7:30 am 
Sunday Masses: 11:30 am

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7. Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles

The Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles (Basilica dei Santi Dodici Apostoli), located near Piazza Venezia in Rome, is a historic church dedicated to the Apostles Philip and James the Less. Originally commissioned by Pope Pelagius I in the 6th century, it was later rebuilt and adorned over the centuries, making it a testament to Rome’s rich Christian and artistic heritage.

Art and Architecture

• Baroque Interior: The basilica features a stunning 18th-century redesign by Carlo and Francesco Fontana, characterized by its elegant Baroque style.
• Ceiling Fresco by Baciccio: The grand nave ceiling is adorned with a magnificent fresco, The Triumph of the Franciscan Order, celebrating the church’s connection to the Franciscans.
• Tomb of Clement XIV: The ornate tomb of Pope Clement XIV, sculpted by Antonio Canova, is a masterpiece of Neoclassical art.
• Apse Mosaic Fragments: Though most of the original medieval mosaics were lost, fragments remain, hinting at the basilica’s early artistic splendor.

Relics

The basilica is home to revered relics, making it a significant pilgrimage site:

• Relics of St. Philip and St. James the Less: The remains of these two Apostles are enshrined in the crypt, beneath the main altar.
• Additional Martyr Relics: Various other relics of early Christian martyrs are preserved within the basilica.

Holy Mass Times:

Daily Masses: 7:30 am (w/morning prayer starting at 6:50 am), 8:15 am, 6:30 pm (w/ Vespers after)
Sunday Masses: 9:00 am, 10:30 am, Solemn Mass 12:00 pm, 6:30 pm

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I hope you enjoyed exploring my top Catholic Churches in Rome. Let me know in the comments what are your favorites!