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In the IVth century, to the
end of persecutions, the mother of the
Constantin emperor gave to Melchiade, the bishop of Rome, successor of
saint Peter, a part of the property of her family, Laterani, to be
established there. Since, the church which there built remained the
cathedral of Rome, despite everything the rehandlings which she
underwent. Even if, after his "exile" in Avignon the pope preferred to
settle close to St-Peter because of the fortifications which
surrounded this district and offered a more secure protection to him,
the
basilica remains "mother and mistress of all the churches".
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