Privileges of Cities Granted the Status of "Holy" by the Catholic Church In the Catholic tradition, there is no formal canonical status of "holy city" in the same sense as people are canonized. However, some cities receive unofficial but deeply rooted titles like "Eternal City" (Rome) or "Holy City" (Jerusalem, as a sanctuary for three religions). The status of "Sacred City" (Civitas Sacra) is the closest to the concept of "holy city" in Catholicism, implying a combination of spiritual, historical, and administrative privileges arising from the presence of key shrines, the seat of the highest church authority, or special papal decisions. These privileges are comprehensive. Doctrinal and Liturgical Privileges "Eternal City" — Rome. As the center of the Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope, Rome holds a unique status. Patriarchal basilicas. Rome is home to four great patriarchal basilicas (the Basilica of St. Peter, St. Paul Outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, and St. John Lateran), each with "Holy Doors" for obtaining jubilee indulgences and possessing the highest liturgical status. The Lateran Basilica bears the title "Mother and Head of All the Churches of the City and the World". Pilgrimage indulgential status. Visiting certain Roman basilicas in jubilee years and on set holidays is associated with obtaining a full indulgence (full forgiveness of temporal punishment for sins), which is the highest spiritual privilege for believers. Independence (extraterritoriality) of Vatican City. Although Vatican City is a separate state, its spiritual authority over Rome historically forms a special status for the city as the center of world Catholicism. Holy cities associated with Marian apparitions. For example, Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Guadalupe (Mexico). Local and universal liturgical feasts. Special纪念days of apparitions are celebrated in these places, which may be included in the liturgical calendar of the entire Church (e.g., the Feast of Our La ... Read more