Vatican & Microsoft Unveil AI-Powered Twin of St. Peter's Basilica

The Vatican, in collaboration with Microsoft, has unveiled an AI-powered digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica, marking a breakthrough in digital preservation. This innovative project offers virtual access to one of the world’s most iconic religious sites while helping the Vatican manage visitor flow and track preservation needs with precision.

Creating a Digital Twin with AI and Photogrammetry

The digital replica, developed with the digital preservation company Iconem, was created using 400,000 high-resolution images captured with drones, cameras, and laser technology over four weeks. This ultra-precise 3D model incorporates 22 petabytes of data, equal to five million DVDs, and will be accessible online alongside two new on-site interactive exhibits.

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s president, described it as “one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated projects of its kind” at a Vatican press conference. The digital platform not only allows visitors to schedule visits to the basilica—a new feature for a site that typically draws long lines—but also lets users explore the basilica’s historic art and architecture online.

Addressing Preservation and Structural Integrity

Beyond enhancing visitor experience, the digital twin serves as a powerful conservation tool. Using advanced AI algorithms, the model has already detected structural vulnerabilities and deterioration, including missing mosaic pieces, cracks, and fissures that are nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. This data helps the Vatican proactively address preservation needs, ensuring the basilica remains structurally sound and visually stunning for future generations.

Supporting a Monumental 2025 Jubilee Event

The Vatican launched this project in anticipation of the 2025 Jubilee, a holy year expected to bring over 30 million people through the basilica’s Holy Door. In light of the anticipated influx, the digital platform is designed to help manage large crowds while preserving the basilica’s sanctity.

During a special audience, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to Microsoft and the project’s development team, stating, “Everyone, really everyone should feel welcome in this great house.” He highlighted the importance of blending modern technology with spiritual heritage, especially as the basilica approaches the 400th anniversary of its consecration in 2026.

New Digital and Immersive Experiences at St. Peter’s Basilica

As part of its efforts to enhance visitor experience and digital accessibility, St. Peter's Basilica will launch a new website on Dec. 1. For example, the site will feature virtual views of the basilica, streaming services for religious events, and prayer meditation podcasts. Additionally, an accompanying app will provide visitors with customized itineraries, audio guides, and real-time updates on lines to the Holy Door and other significant sites.

In January, Microsoft’s Minecraft Education platform will also offer young students worldwide a virtual exploration of the basilica, blending interactive learning with cultural heritage.

Immersive Exhibits for In-Person Visitors

To celebrate the 400th anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica’s consecration, two new immersive exhibits will be unveiled:

• Rooftop Exhibit: Located on the basilica’s roof, this exhibit projects high-resolution images of the basilica onto the cement dome of the cupola, creating a vivid, detailed visual experience of the basilica’s architecture.

• Historic Corridor Exhibit: Positioned in a windowed corridor overlooking the basilica’s interior, this exhibit includes a series of images detailing the basilica’s history, from its construction start in 1506 to its consecration in 1626.

One highlight of the exhibit is the personal notes left by basilica workers from past centuries. Written in pencil on the walls, these messages tell the story of workers who would descend from the upper floors by rope to restore mosaics and frescoes on the basilica’s walls.

These new digital and immersive additions underscore the basilica’s commitment to blending modern technology with its rich historical and spiritual heritage.

AI and Ethical Technology Initiatives

Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for ethical AI, urging an international treaty to ensure that AI development reflects core human values. At the project’s launch, he reiterated his commitment to using technology responsibly, saying it was a “gift and a task” to care for the basilica in “both a spiritual and material sense, even through the latest technologies.”

Smith noted that Microsoft’s involvement stemmed from Pope Francis’ 2018 initiative to bring tech companies together to promote ethically-minded AI, with similar projects previously undertaken at Mont Saint-Michel in France and Ancient Olympia in Greece. However, he declined to disclose the cost of this substantial investment.

What This Means

This AI-powered digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica represents an innovative fusion of technology and cultural preservation. The project not only democratizes access to an ancient religious site but also provides an advanced tool for conservation, setting a precedent for AI-driven digital heritage preservation. As the Vatican continues to embrace technology for ethical and cultural initiatives, this project underscores how AI can bridge ancient traditions with modern access and care.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.