Entitled “St. Peter’s Basilica: AI-Enhanced Experience,” an AI-enabled project was unveiled on Monday in collaboration with Microsoft and Iconem, a heritage digitalization company, as the Church prepares for the Jubilee celebrations in 2025.
As speakers at a press conference explained, the digital creation of a replica of St. Peter’s Basilica allows for immersive virtual tours and in-depth digital exhibitions that bring the grandeur of the Renaissance marvel into much sharper focus.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, expressed his delight during the briefing, comparing the experience to gazing at a “starry sky on a summer night.”
“The new tools act like a telescope or spaceship for better viewing,” he said, capturing the essence of this remarkable digital expansion.
A partnership between ancient and modern
The partnership between the Vatican and Microsoft is notable not only for its ambition but also for its innovative use of technology in service of faith and heritage, said Microsoft President Brad Smith, speaking at the press conference.
In an interview with Vatican News’ Fabio Colagrande, Smith reflected on the unique role technology can play in bridging past and present.
“I believe it adds to the spiritual experience of pilgrims coming to Rome,” he said, recalling that “Just going through it myself yesterday, gave me even more insight into the memory of Saint Peter, his life, and what he stood for. It brings that history to life.”
Smith explained that the virtual experience offers a new perspective, allowing viewers to “see parts of the Basilica that one cannot see,” and through the digital exhibit, visitors can access spaces usually out of reach, like the Roman tombs below and intricate artwork in the Basilica’s high dome.
