Artificial Intelligence: historic project revolutionizes visits to St. Peter’s Basilica

Artificial Intelligence (AI) breaks into the Vatican through a historic project by Microsoft that will make pilgrims who visit St. Peter’s Basilica experience an unforgettable artistic and spiritual journey.

The tens of thousands of people who pass through the grand doors of the Vatican basilica every day, and even those who cannot travel to Rome, will have the opportunity to understand the majesty of this unique place in the world as no other generation has done in the past

This unprecedented collaboration between one of the world’s oldest institutions and the newest human-made technology has given rise to the “St. Peter’s Basilica: AI-Enabled Experience” project, carried out by Microsoft and the St. Peter’s Factory. , hand in hand with the Foundation Brothers all and the “Digital Mission of the Basilica on the way out.”

Credit: Holy See Press Office

What does the project consist of?

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, presented the initiative this morning at the Holy See Press Office together with Brad Smith, vice president and president of Microsoft.

The unique experience of pilgrims will be achieved thanks to different platforms and applications hosted on the basilica’s new web portal, as well as certain tools that will give the opportunity to visit the temple like never before thanks to Artificial Intelligence.

New web portal of the basilica

The also Vicar General of His Holiness for the Vatican City and president of the St. Peter’s Factory, explained that the basilica’s new web portal suggests visiting routes, specific itineraries to “inspire the spiritual path” and recommendations from the Best times to visit.

An orientation map is also offered, with an access reservation platform and an app for services and digital audio guides. In addition, the user will find information, news, documentation, as well as videos and audios available online, historical-artistic and spiritual content, which thanks to Artificial Intelligence will allow you to go deeper, “zoom in on the historical archive” and access the new magazine St. Peter’s Square.

This digital ecosystem, which will be available from December 1 after nearly three years of work, “systematizes technologies, rationalizes and simplifies activities and can help each pilgrim ‘live’ the Basilica in its spiritual essence.”

Credit: Holy See Press Office

A 3D visit thanks to Artificial Intelligence

Cardinal Gambetti then explained the second part of this project, which he referred to as the “golden finale.” It is a “powerful tool” that will allow you to penetrate the hidden meanings and connect with the interiority of the temple.

It will propose a three-dimensional (3D) view of the basilica in photogrammetry, some immersive itineraries, an educational program based on the Minecraft model, live streaming of celebrations, podcasts with meditations, etc.

In this way, “dedicated accesses will be allowed to be reserved with an accompaniment” through an application, which will give the possibility of stopping at certain works by means of a QR code. Long queues to access the basilica will also be avoided thanks to the possibility of reserving entry and an information system on the flow of people.

During the visit, pilgrims will also be able to visit new exhibition places near the dome, where they will be able to “immerse themselves in the meanings and discover what is behind the historical and architectural and artistic point of view.”

These are new immersive exhibitions, Peter Enni y Petros Eni Octagonwhich will offer pilgrims and visitors a unique combination of historical knowledge and digital exploration, showing key aspects in the evolution of the basilica over the centuries. This permanent exhibition – digital and in-person – will open on the occasion of the 2025 Jubilee.

“If people, upon entering the basilica in some way, are able to intuit the Mystery that inspired it and that radiates, our mission will have been accomplished,” said Cardinal Gambetti.

Credit: Holy See Press Office

How has it been achieved?

The cardinal explained that to achieve this, they have put a business resource planning (ERP) system at the service of the San Pedro Factory offices and have begun the process of digitizing document, archival and human resources management. In addition, they have completed the first phase of the BIM (Building Information Modeling) model of the Basilica.

For his part, Brad Smith explained that it is a digitalized “twin” of the basilica, created with the goal of “expanding human understanding.” He also specified that it is the “largest project” of its kind ever done so far.

To understand the magnitude of this initiative, Smith highlighted that, thanks to AI, several drones have taken nearly 400,000 photographs in meticulous detail at night for three weeks, generating data that could be saved “on five million DVDs.”

“A special algorithm was used to identify all these images,” something that will also help those in charge of their conservation.

“We are here because Saint Peter was here two thousand years ago,” remarked the president of Microsoft. For this reason, he insisted on the importance of bringing history to the present, and understanding how the place, the destination of the best architects and artists, has evolved over all this time.

Although Smith defended that technology can never replace the fact of traveling and visiting places physically, he affirmed that it can help those who are not able to do so. “This is where technology makes its greatest contribution, expanding the understanding of a place to the entire world.”

The goal is also for people to understand how extraordinary St. Peter’s Basilica is and “to bring its history to the world.” “If we can do this, just imagine what we can do in the future,” he said.

Pope Francis asks to use technology in a missionary style

Before the presentation to the media, Pope Francis received in audience at the Vatican the technicians of the San Pedro Factory and those who have collaborated on this project.

“Everyone, absolutely everyone, should feel welcomed in this great house: both those who have faith and those who seek faith; those who come to contemplate the artistic beauties of Rome and those who wish to decipher its cultural codes,” said Pope Francis.

Likewise, he recalled that “the original nucleus of the Basilica is Peter’s tomb” and pointed out that the projects “must accompany the men and women of today, supporting their path as disciples, following the example of Simon Peter.”

To achieve this, the Holy Father advised them to comply with three criteria that guide their work: listening to prayer, the look of faith and the touch of the pilgrim. He encouraged the members of the San Pedro Factory to adopt technologies “that not only favor the interactive participation of people, but, above all, their awareness of the sacred place, a space for meditation.”

He also encouraged them to use cutting-edge tools “in a missionary, non-touristy style; without seeking the attraction of special effects, but investing in new media to tell the faith of the Church and the culture it has forged.”

Finally, he specified that throughout the centuries, sculptural, pictorial and architectural art “has been placed at the service of the people of God using the best technologies of its time.” “Our predecessors have worked wonderfully. Each new project must be in continuity with that same pastoral intention,” he stated.

The “hidden work of art” in St. Peter’s Basilica

In conclusion, he pointed out that there is “another work of art” that is carried out in the Basilica, and that is “hidden”: the confessors.

“Please, let the confessors always be there, within reach. People come closer, feel something, even non-Christians come to ask for a blessing… In this artistic and beautiful world, there is also the art of personal communication,” he noted.