Sant'Antonio_da_Padova_in_Via_Merulana
Sant'Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana
Roman Catholic basilica, a landmark of Rome, Italy
The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua al Laterano (Italian: Sant'Antonio da Padova all'Esquilino, Latin: S. Antonii Patavini de Urbe) is a Roman Catholic titular church in Rome on Via Merulana, one block from the Obelisk of St. John Lateran. It was built for the Order of Friars Minor, who needed a new home after they were moved from Santa Maria in Ara Coeli to allow the construction of the Victor Emmanuel II Monument.
The church was consecrated on 4 December 1887 and was elevated to minor basilica status in 1931.[1]
On 12 March 1960 Pope John XXIII made it a titular church as a seat for cardinals.[2] The current cardinal priest of the Titulus Sancti Antonii Patavini de Urbe is Américo Aguiar.