The Basilica of St. John Lateran is a place that symbolises the need to come together and pray, a requirement shared by all believers. Founded by the Emperor Constantine, the Basilica was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and over the centuries has exuded a value that goes beyond historical testimony, a value that can be applied to any place of worship. Churches, particularly in Italy, are genuine treasure troves housing works of art, but this alone would not be enough to preserve them over time if they weren't also tangible signs of the presence of God. Concrete, ever-present signs, characteristic of a safe and welcoming place where one can feel the proximity of the Lord. For this, next time you walk past a church, stop for a moment – physically or spiritually – and think a loving thought, forgive somebody, say a prayer that testifies to the awareness of our faith.