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The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic minor basilica and national shrine in Washington D.C.. It is the largest Catholic church building in North America and is also the tallest habitable building in Washington, D.C. Its construction of Byzantine and Romanesque Revival architecture began on 23 September 1920.
The basilica is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Immaculate Conception, designated as the principal Patroness accorded by Pope Pius IX on 7 February 1847. Pope Pius XI donated a mosaic rendition of the image in 1923. It serves as the national Catholic Church of the United States.
Pope John Paul II raised the National Shrine to the status of Minor Basilica via his Pontifical decree Clarum Constat Templum on 12 October 1990. At this shrine, Pope Benedict XVI bestowed a Golden Rose on 16 April 2008 while Pope Francis canonized Junípero Serra here on 23 September 2015.