The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, located in Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Cote d’Ivoire, is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world and the highest Christian building in the world. It was built by the will of the first president of the country, Felix Houphouët Boigny, in 1983. Its appearance is reminiscent of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The rector of the basilica is Franck Allatin. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro was built according to the plans of architect Pierre Fakhoury, chosen by President Felix Houphouët Boigny on February 4, 1986, following a competition held between 1984 and 1986. The basilica was built by 24 Ivory Coast and foreign companies between 1986 and 1989. It is the company Eiffel Construction Métallique which realized the dome, the biggest ever built. The site was under the control of Antoine Cesareo, director of major works of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. It is built in Yamoussoukro, the political and administrative capital of the Ivory Coast. Pope John Paul II consecrated the basilica on September 10, 1990. As a condition, he laid the cornerstone of a hospital to be built near the basilica. This hospital, called St. Joseph of Moscati, whose construction was launched on August 24, 2009, was inaugurated in January 2014. The management of the pastoral care at the basilica is carried out by the Fathers of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, commonly known as the Pallottine Fathers. The total cost of the work is estimated at 40 billion CFA francs (122 million euros, or 6% of the country’s annual budget), which has not failed to generate controversy. President Houphouët Boigny responded by stating that the building was financed from his personal fortune.