At the end of the north portico is a statue of king Henry IV of France (bronze; by Nicholas Cordier; 1608). Henry IV (1553-1610) was a Protector of the Basilica and honorary Canon. The King / President of France is ex officio the ' first and only honorary canon' (Chanoine honoraire) of the archbasilica; a title that the heads of state of France have possessed since King Henry IV.- Founded during the fourth century; Saint John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano; basilique Saint-Jean de Latran; Lateranbasilika ) is the Cathedral of Rome; the most important of the four major basilicas and the oldest christian church. It is considered the mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.- First Construction: 4th century (324);Reconstruction : 17th century. interior in baroque style by Francesco Borromini (1650).New facade by Alessandro Galilei (1735)Rome; Italy (2020)