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.

The Vatican launched on Monday new Artificial Intelligence-enabled services for St Peter's Basilica, allowing virtual access to its Renaissance-era architectural treasures for all and enhanced tours for visitors.