San Giovanni in Laterno was built in the 4th century and was the first Christian basilica. This is the cathedral of Rome where the Pope's official offices are. It was the official residence of the Pope up until 1309. He still occasionally says mass here.
Coming out of the station, make a left onto Via Cavour, then an immediate left onto Via Giovanni Giolitti. Make a right onto Via Gioberti. Walk straight through the Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Santa Maria Maggiore will be on your right. Bear to the left onto Via Merulana. Continue down this road for a while. At the intersection with Via Giovanni Lanza, you will see the National Museum of Oriental Art. Continue going straight. At the intersection with Via Mecenate/Via Leopardi, you will see the Auditorium of Maecenas which is partially reconstructed on a traffic island in the middle of the street. Continue going straight and you will enter the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterno with the church being right in front of you.
The view you will have of the basilica is the North Facade (the entrance.) This entrance consists of two stories of white arches resembling the Colosseum arches. The second story is where the Pope gives his blessings from. The cathedral has two large towers on top of the North Facade. If you go around the church to the left, you will see the astounding front of the church. You cannot, however, enter from this way.
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