ROME, Italy — The launch of St. Peter's Basilica's AI-powered "digital twin" was not meant to replace actual visits to the iconic religious landmark enclaved in Rome, said Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, the tech partner of Vatican for the ambitious project.

• Religion meets AI: Vatican, Microsoft unveil 'digital twin' of St. Peter’s Basilica

The interactive website allows audiences worldwide to “engage” with the Basilica and virtually go over its architecture, art, mosaics, sculptures, and other treasures, including sections and details that are nearly impossible to explore during in-person visit.

"I don’t think anything’s ever gonna replace that, there’s something about travel and seeing the place in context that is irreplaceable," Smith said during the unveiling of the Basilica's digital replica on Monday.

The project was launched ahead of the 2025 Holy Year Jubilee, where millions of pilgrims are expected to visit the Vatican. 

"The digital twin and virtual experiences will provide deeper engagement for visitors, helping them connect more meaningfully with the Basilica’s rich history," Microsoft said in a statement. 

Vatican and Microsoft both said the website was also meant to make the Basilica more accessible to people, especially those who may not be able to personally visit the Vatican, 

"For every person that can come to the Rome and Vatican during the Jubilee, there’s hundreds of people who wish they can come, thousands, if not more, who will not be able to. And so I think that’s where’s this technology makes its greatest contribution. Expanding that understanding of a place for everyone around the world," Smith said.

“We wish to bring the Basilica to the world as a gift to the people,” said Father Francesco Occhetta, General Secretary of the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, an institution created by Pope Francis in 2021 to promote cultural and spiritual formation.

GLOBAL ACCESS, EVEN ON MOBILE

Laura Hoffman, Senior Director of Microsoft's AI for Good Lab, said making the digital portal accessible was on top of their minds beginning from the conceptualization of the project.

That meant creating "a 3D immersive experience on a phone device."

"One of the most challenging things [of] the assignment was to make it accessible to anyone in the world and to make it really attractive for a younger generation, which means on the phone," Hoffman told journalists during a press preview of the project.

AI for Good Lab is a research arm of Microsoft that processed and enhanced the images and other data captured by Iconem, the Paris-based firm tapped to create the 3D model of the St. Peter's Basilica.

Hoffman told ABS-CBN News that the Philippines was one of the main audiences they "thought of the most" while making the project.

“So, actually, you were one of the groups that we thought of the most in the Philippines and we are so excited to be able to bring the 3D digital experience to life for the people of the Philippines,” Hoffman said.

The digital portal allows visitors to explore 3 journeys: 

• The Life of St. Peter - The story of St. Peter the man

• History of the Basilica - From the Past to the Present

•  St. Peter's Basilica - Enter the heart of the modern Basilica

"You also have the ability to have guided tours so you can play any of those 3 journeys, so the tour comes to you just like you [have] the best tour guide," Hoffman said. The virtual tour is available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.

"I love that it just brings [the Basilica] to people that may never be able to see it in person," she added.

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