Archaeologists in Rome have unearthed what appears to be a medieval palace where popes lived before the Vatican became their home, according to the Italian Culture Ministry. Discovered outside the Archbasilica of St John Lateran in preparation for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, the excavation revealed a complex architectural structure, including walls believed to have protected the Patriarchio, a monumental basilica envisioned by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.
The ministry highlighted the significance of this find, noting that extensive archaeological excavations have not been conducted in the square in modern times. The structure, initially built following Constantine’s 313 declaration of tolerance for Christianity, was expanded between the 9th and 13th centuries and housed the papacy until it temporarily moved to Avignon in 1305.
As the area around St John Lateran is being prepared for the Jubilee, which is expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims and tourists, other excavations near the Vatican have uncovered traces of an ancient Roman laundry and a garden used by Emperor Caligula, showcasing Rome’s rich archaeological heritage.
