Vatican Unveils Major Initiatives for 400th Anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica
As St. Peter’s Basilica approaches the 400th anniversary of its dedication, the Vatican has announced a wide range of spiritual, cultural, and technological initiatives designed to deepen the experience of pilgrims while safeguarding the sacred character of one of the world’s most visited religious sites.
Speaking at a press briefing in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, outlined a yearlong program that will begin on 20 February with the inauguration of a new Via Crucis and conclude on 18 November with a Holy Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV. The anniversary commemorates four centuries since the Basilica’s formal dedication in 1626, marking a significant moment in the life of the Catholic Church and the architectural history of the Vatican.
Among the most notable initiatives is the launch of a multilingual liturgical platform developed in collaboration with the Dicastery for Communication and the language technology company Translated. The platform will allow pilgrims to follow principal celebrations in real time through AI-assisted translations accessible on smartphones. Visitors will be able to scan QR codes placed at the entrance and throughout the Basilica to access a dedicated webpage offering audio and text translations in multiple languages. No application downloads or special devices will be required, reflecting the Vatican’s effort to balance accessibility with simplicity.
Cardinal Gambetti also announced that areas of the monumental complex previously closed to the public will be opened during the anniversary year. These include the full terrace with its three fan-shaped sections and the Octagonal Halls, which house historic architectural models such as Antonio da Sangallo the Younger’s design for the Basilica and the model of Michelangelo’s Dome. Works preserved in the Basilica’s museum archive will also be made accessible, offering visitors deeper insight into the artistic and structural development of the site.
To manage growing visitor numbers, the Vatican will introduce a new real time reservation system known as Smart Pass. The system is intended to regulate visitor flow while preserving the spiritual atmosphere of the Basilica. An expanded digital ecosystem will further allow pilgrims to share prayers and testimonies, reinforcing the Basilica’s pastoral mission in a digital age.
The anniversary year will also feature weekly Spiritual Elevations dedicated to prayer and sacred music, pastoral lectures, and scriptural reflections centered on Saint Peter. A special pilgrimage route retracing the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome is planned, along with a theatrical presentation near the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June.
In addition, the Fabbrica di San Pietro has partnered with the Italian energy company Eni on a project titled Beyond the Visible, focused on permanent structural monitoring to safeguard the Basilica’s stability. The Vatican will also introduce a new institutional font named Michelangelus, inspired by Michelangelo’s handwriting and integrated into Microsoft Office, reinforcing the cultural identity of St. Peter’s Basilica during this historic anniversary year.
