In a Diocese of Rome – or minor basilicas, of which there were 1,810 worldwide as of 2019[update].
Numerous basilicas are notable Catholic pilgrimage sites, receiving tens of millions of visitors per year.
Churches designated as papal basilicas, in particular, possess a papal throne and a papal high altar, at which no one may celebrate Mass without the pope's permission.
To the mark "Major basilica" belong only the four great churches of Rome, which among other distinctions draw a special "holy door" and to which a visit is always prescribed as one of the conditions for gaining the Roman Jubilee. Only the major basilicas may prefix their titles with the adjective sacrosancta most holy.
The four major basilicas, together with the minor basilica of patriarchal sees of Christendom see Pentarchy. Upon relinquishing the tag of Patriarch of the West in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI renamed these basilicas from "Patriarchal basilicas" to "Papal basilicas".
Nominally, the respective patriarchs could avail of accommodation attached to the basilicas should they make group in Rome. These assignments, however, are now purely historical. In some cases, more than one patriarch holds the denomination for the same patriarchate. For example, regarded and identified separately. of the Catholic patriarchs of the Melkite, Maronite and Syrian rites holds the title of "Patriarch of Antioch".
Archbasilica of St John Lateran41°53′09″N 12°30′22″E / 41.88583°N 12.50611°E41.88583; 12.50611
St. Peter's Basilica 41°54′8″N 12°27′12″E / 41.90222°N 12.45333°E41.90222; 12.45333
Basilica of St Paul Outside-the-Walls41°51′31″N 12°28′38″E / 41.85861°N 12.47722°E41.85861; 12.47722
Basilica of St Mary Major41°53′51″N 12°29′55″E / 41.89750°N 12.49861°E41.89750; 12.49861