The XO Directory

At 2.3 hectares in total area, St. Peter's Basilica is the world's largest Christian church. It is located in the Vatican City of Rome in Italy.

The basilica is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Christ. For this reason, all the Popes have been buried there. It is also famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations.

St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Contrary to popular misconception, Saint Peter's is not a cathedral, as it is not the seat of a bishop. It is properly termed a basilica. Like all the earliest churches in Rome, it has the entrance to the east and the apse at the west end of the building.

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