Microsoft and Vatican create 3D digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica with help from AI

The Vatican and Microsoft have unveiled an extraordinary digital recreation of St. Peter’s Basilica, combining cutting-edge AI with centuries-old heritage to bring the famed monument into the digital realm.

The 3D replica, created from 400,000 high-resolution images taken by drones, cameras, and lasers over a four period, now allows people worldwide to explore the cherished religious landmark online.

"It is literally one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated projects of its kind that has ever been pursued," Microsoft President Brad Smith said at a Vatican press conference unveiling the project.

The project has been launched ahead of the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee, a holy year in which more than 30 million pilgrims are expected to pass through the basilica’s Holy Door, on top of the 50,000 who visit on a normal day.

The ultra-precise 3D replica, developed in collaboration with digital preservation company Iconem, incorporates 22 petabytes of data - enough to fill five million DVDs -Smith said.

Pope Francis has called for the ethical use of AI and used his annual World Message of Peace this year to urge an international treaty to regulate it, arguing that technology lacking human values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness were too great.

On Monday, he thanked the Microsoft team and basilica workers responsible for the project and marvelled at how modern technology was helping spread an ancient faith and preserve a piece of world patrimony, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of its consecration in 2026.