Tour of the Pontifical Basilicas of Rome Tour of the Pontifical Basilicas of Rome

The four located in Rome, are major basilicas,Saint Peter,Saint Mary Major, Saint John,Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Being major basilicas, they have a holy door and a papal altar: the holy doors are opened with a special ritual by the Pope or one of his commissioners only for the duration of a Holy Year, and they play an important role in granting the so-called plenary indulgence ; the papal altar is an altar where only the pope or a few other priests can celebrate the Eucharist.