St
Peter's Basilica, Rome |
| In Roman Catholic tradition, the basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and the first Bishop of Rome. His tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. |
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| Since the Early Christian period popes have been interred at St. Peter's. |
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There has been
a church on the site since the 4th century. Construction of the
present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on
18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626. |