In the case of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope has his own Cathedral Church which is thus the chief church of all the churches of the world and so is affectionately called the" mother" of all churches. Most people probably think that Saint Peter's Basilica is the Pope's cathedral, but in fact, it is the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Blessings are an essential part of Catholic piety: we say "grace" before meals, asking God to bless the food we eat. We bless the houses we live in asking God's protection, So, too, we bless and consecrate the churches in which we worship, affirming them as "sacred places". The temple of God is sacred, and we are the temple.

Thus, Paul reminds the people of Corinth and us that we are "God's building" and "the foundation of which has already been laid is Jesus Christ," (1 Cor 3:11) and the Spirit of God is with us (Cf 1 Cor 3:16).

It is important that we celebrate the consecration of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran and remember that this is the Church from which the Pope leads the Catholic Church as his Petrine office demands of him.

In our celebration, let us give thanks to God for the unity and communion that the Catholic Church experiences throughout the world. Let us not destroy it.