Holy Stairs
Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, Rome
History
The Holy Stairs were part of the ancient Patriarchium, now completely demolished, of which only the Holy Stairs, the Oratory of San Lorenzo in Palatio, and the Triclinium of Leo III remain.
The Patriarchium extended over part of what is now the Lateran Palace and University, Piazza San Giovanni, and the Holy Stairs Sanctuary, adjacent to the Constantinian Basilica.
A staircase with three flights led from the entrance portico to the council hall. According to ancient tradition, the central staircase was linked to the Passion of Christ and was brought to Rome by Helena.
Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590), to address the poor state of preservation of the Patriarchium—neglected and damaged due to the papal residence’s relocation first to Avignon and later to the Vatican—ordered its demolition, preserving only the ancient oratory, the Sancta Sanctorum, in front of which he had the Holy Stairs of the Patriarchium relocated.
During the reorganization, the building now called the Holy Stairs was constructed. On the upper floor, two rooms intended to house the “Sistine College” were placed, while the lower floor features four other staircases, each leading to two chapels.
In 1852, Pope Mastai Ferretti had a convent built to the left of the Holy Stairs to house the Passionist Fathers.
Description of the Holy Stairs
The Holy Stairs consist of 30 steps, said to bear traces of Christ’s blood on the 2nd, 11th, and 28th steps (counting from the bottom). Devotion to this relic gained prominence in later times, coinciding with the tradition of its Jerusalem origin, which spread after 1450 following a report by the Bishop of Châlon-sur-Marne during the Holy Year.
According to this tradition, these are the stairs from the Praetorium palace, which Christ ascended to be judged by Pontius Pilate on Good Friday.
Helena, Constantine’s mother, is said to have transported the stairs from Jerusalem around 326 AD and placed them in the Lateran Palace.
Since 1450, it has been one of Rome’s most venerated relics. In 1723, the stairs were covered with walnut planks to prevent wear, though the steps remain visible through small openings. Usage began between 313 and 337 AD.
Key Events of the Holy Stairs Sanctuary
In 1672, Soresini forged a bull attributed to Pope Paschal II (1099-1100), “Ad apostolicae dignitatis fastigium,” claiming that faithful who climbed all the steps on their knees would receive an indulgence.
Pope Pius VII confirmed this bull (believed to be authentic) with a rescript on September 2. Pope Benedict XIV had already confirmed the indulgences granted by his predecessors in 1742 through the “Notification of Admonitions for Properly Regulating the Devotional Exercise of the Way of the Cross,” stating: “Whoever meditates on the Lord’s Passion in this holy exercise acquires, by concession of the Supreme Pontiffs, the same indulgences as if they had personally visited the stations of the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem.”
Ex-Votos
Ex-votos are entrusted to the Passionist Fathers and include: Luminaries, Jewelry, and Other Items.
Pope Pius IX granted the spiritual care of the sanctuary and its perpetual possession to the Passionists through the apostolic constitution “Inter plurima templa.”
Pope Sixtus V established the “Sistine College” specifically for the sanctuary’s liturgical services.
Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 14, 00185 Rome, Italy
