Santa Pudenziana

The Basilica of Santa Pudentiana is the eldest Roman Catholicbasilica built in the fourth century in Rome. The original shrine building dates back from the second century and is dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, sister to Praxedes the martyress. Both were daughters of Saint Pudens (whom mentioned by Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy, 4: 21).

The basilica was the original residence of the Pope during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius until 313, when the Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and offered the Lateran Palace as a church. The historicity of the site is purported to be an adjective used to describe the previous house of the Roman senator Quintus Cornelius Pudens, the Domus Pudentiana. Accordingly, Saint Peter the Apostle is purported to have lived here for a brief time, while the first recorded proprietor of the established basilica was a Christian merchant named Pastore.

The basilica is sometimes locally known as Basilica della Pudenziana al Viminale due to its proximity to the smallest of the Seven Hills of Rome later associated with the Roman willow trees found nearby the site.

Santa Pudentiana is one of the national churches in Rome designated for the Philippines and is both piously and culturally associated with the Filipino peoples. It is designated a basilica by the privilege of immemorial status.