Why was St. Peter’s Basilica eventually given a Latin cross plan instead of Bramante’s Greek cross plan?

St. Peter’s Basilica was eventually given a Latin cross plan instead of Donato Bramante’s original Greek cross plan primarily due to liturgical requirements.1

While Bramante’s initial design featured a central Greek cross—a plan where all arms are of equal length—the clergy advocated for a longitudinal church for centuries. They sought a layout that better accommodated traditional liturgical practices, which favored the long, nave-based structure characteristic of early Christian and medieval cathedrals.12

Following various modifications by successive architects, Carlo Maderno was ultimately commissioned by Pope Paul V to extend the nave to the east. This addition transformed the existing structure into a three-aisled Latin cross, successfully fulfilling the long-standing desire of the clergy to align the basilica’s architecture with established liturgical needs.132