Where the Church Was Born

In brief

Pope Francis described the Chapel of the Cenacle in Jerusalem as the birthplace of the Church during a 2014 homily. He noted that the site hosted several New Testament events, including the Last Supper, the appearance of the risen Jesus to his apostles, and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the disciples.

The Pope stated that the Church was born at this location to go forth into the world. He identified the Upper Room as a place representing service through the washing of feet, the priesthood through the Eucharist, and the formation of Jesus' new family.

During a pastoral visit to the Holy Land in 2000, Saint John Paul II also celebrated Holy Mass in the chapel. Historical information regarding the site through the middle of the 16th century was gathered by Fr M.E. Gutiérrez Jiménez, OFM.