Vatican and Microsoft Unveil AI-Powered Virtual Twin of St. Peter’s Basilica, Opening New Doors for Heritage Preservation and Pilgrimage

The Vatican has embarked on an ambitious digital journey with Microsoft, creating a groundbreaking AI-powered "digital twin" of St. Peter’s Basilica. Launched just ahead of the 2025 Jubilee, this project promises to revolutionize the experience of visiting one of the world’s most iconic monuments by blending state-of-the-art technology with centuries-old heritage.

Using over 400,000 high-resolution images captured by drones, lasers, and cameras during a month-long scan of the basilica, this digital twin allows users to explore the Vatican’s architectural marvel from anywhere in the world. While this immersive experience aids those who can’t travel to Rome, it also enhances the pilgrimage of the 30 million visitors expected for the Holy Year, providing online reservation options and real-time insights to optimize in-person visits.

Microsoft’s president, Brad Smith, described the digital twin as “one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated projects of its kind.” The level of detail is unprecedented, with the project using 22 petabytes of data—enough to fill five million DVDs—captured in partnership with Iconem, a French company specializing in digital preservation. This platform showcases St. Peter’s grandeur and helps the Vatican manage structural preservation efforts by detecting cracks, missing tiles, and other issues invisible to the human eye.

Beyond visitor convenience, the project reflects a strong ethical commitment from Pope Francis and Microsoft. The Pope, a proponent of compassionate, morally aligned AI, expressed his hopes that the digital twin would open St. Peter’s doors to all, making everyone feel welcome in what he described as a “house of prayer for all peoples.” Emphasizing the need for AI technology to align with humanity’s core values, Pope Francis has called for an international treaty on AI to ensure that compassion, ethics, and accountability guide technological progress.

Microsoft has experience with similar heritage preservation projects, having previously created digital twins of Mont Saint-Michel in France and Ancient Olympia in Greece. With each project, the tech giant reinforces its commitment to leveraging AI for cultural preservation, ensuring that future generations can experience these global landmarks in their pristine form.

As the Vatican celebrates the 400th anniversary of St. Peter's consecration in 2026, this digital twin stands as a testament to the possibilities that emerge when modern technology and historic preservation unite.