November 9th: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Gospel text Jn 2:13-22
Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."
Gospel's Commentary
Today we are especially united with the Bishop of Rome. Sometimes we think that the Vatican is the "cathedral" of the Catholic Church, but that is not so! The Universal Church exists and takes flesh in the Particular Churches, that is, the dioceses. Among them, the Church of Rome stands out because it "presides in charity." In any case, Jesus Christ—the true Temple of God—is present in all these Particular Churches.
—Jesus entrusted Simon Peter with watching over the faith of the faithful. Peter established his See in Rome and, since then, all the Popes who succeed him carry out their mission from there, with the Basilica of Saint John Lateran as their cathedral.