Santa Pudenziana

The Basilica of Saint Pudentiana
Basilica Minor of Santa Pudenziana
La Basilica Menor de Santa Potenciana
Frontal main entrance below the street level
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
41°53′54.3″N 12°29′44″E / 41.898417°N 12.49556°E / 41.898417; 12.49556
Location	Via Urbana 160, Rome
Country	Italy
Language(s)	Latin, Italian, Tagalog
Denomination	Catholic
Tradition	Roman Rite
Website	stpudenziana.org
History
Status	Titular Church Minor Basilica National Church
Founded	4th century
Dedication	Saint Pudentiana
Architecture
Architect(s)	Francesco da Volterra, Antonio Manno
Architectural type	Paleochristian, Romanesque
Completed	1588
Administration
Diocese	Rome

The Basilica of Santa Pudenziana (Spanish—Filipino: Santa Potenciana) is the eldest historical Roman Catholic basilica built in the fourth century. The original shrine building dates back from the second century and is dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, sister to Praxedes the Martyress and both daughters of Saint Pudens (whom mentioned by Saint Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy, 4: 21). It 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.

The basilica was the original residence of the Pope during the time of Emperor Marcus Aurelius until 313 A.D. when the Emperor Constantine the Great legalized Christianity and offered the Lateran Palace. The historicity of the site is purported to be an adjective used to describe the previous house of the Roman senator, Lord Pudens, the Domus Pudentiana. Accordingly, the first recorded proprietor of the established basilica was a Christian merchant named Pastore.