St. Peter's Basilica goes digital: Vatican and Microsoft revolutionize learning!

St. Peter's Basilica goes digital: Vatican and Microsoft revolutionize learning!

Vatican City, March 18, 2025 - An innovative educational project has catapulted St. Peter's Basilica into the digital world. The Vatican is collaborating with Microsoft to use “Minecraft” to bring the historical and cultural heritage of this world-famous basilica to life for young people. The game entitled “Peter is here” teaches interesting facts about the architecture and history of St. Peter's Basilica and challenges users with restoration tasks. “Here, students can learn and have fun at the same time,” emphasized Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome. Microsoft boss Brad Smith called the project a milestone in the partnership between the tech giant and the Catholic Church, which is intended to appeal to young people worldwide.

Digital exploration through AI

The AI-powered project includes not only the game, but also an interactive website based on 400,000 photos taken using drones during a summer mission in 2023. These images allow users to explore St. Peter's Basilica in a novel way, while two immersive exhibitions entitled "Petros Eni" expand historical knowledge. According to Cardinal Gambetti, this digital technology is intended to bring the history and spirituality of St. Peter's Basilica to life. “When people understand the mystery that inspired them, our mission is accomplished,” continued Gambetti. Pope Francis expressly praised the project in an audience and emphasized the importance of using AI responsibly, which must always serve people. This unique project represents a significant step towards making cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience and exciting younger generations about the history and art of St. Peter's Basilica.

The combination of gaming and the church's rich heritage shows how modern technology can be used innovatively. “Gaming can be used in a negative way, but in this case it is beneficial because it brings us closer to history and our roots,” explained Mauro Antonelli from the Italian Ministry of Education. Students and teachers can widely access the platform to integrate the game into schools and thereby create a “better world,” as Microsoft's Allison Matthews noted.