As the capital of Catholicism, Rome possesses a large number of cathedrals and churches, some of them extremely ancient and have undergone many renovations, some others dated back from the Renaissance, all constructed as a hallow place blessed by the religion, or as reliquary or a shrine for saints related to the Passion of Christ. The itinerary of a traditional pilgrimage in Rome understands four patriarchal Basilicas – Saint Peter of Rome, Saint John of Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul outside the Walls – as well as Saint Sebastian, Saint Lawrence outside the Walls and Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.