The heart of the project is the creation of a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica through advanced photogrammetry and artificial intelligence that allows anyone to “visit” the church and learn about its history.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Visitors to Rome will have the opportunity to experience St. Peter’s Basilica in a new way as part of an immersive exhibit, both in person and online, created through a partnership between the Vatican and Microsoft using AI technology.

St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City has been recreated in digital form using the latest developments in artificial intelligence. “Through the digital twin, people worldwide can explore and engage with the Basilica’s rich history and architecture, regardless of their physical location,” says a Vatican statement.