A superlative basilica The Roman Catholic Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. Despite being the largest church in the world, the basilica is not the seat of the dioscean bishop and is thus not a cathedral. (more) What’s the Difference Between a Basilica and a Cathedral? Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity,... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 11, 2026 •History The terms cathedral and basilica can sound interchangeable—both conjure images of grand, historic churches. But they reflect two entirely different ways of defining a church: One is rooted in function and hierarchy, the other in recognition and tradition. A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, the geographic area over which a bishop presides. The term is most commonly used in Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox traditions, all of which maintain an episcopal form...

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