Artificial intelligence has revealed that St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City has more structural damage than previously understood. Developed by Microsoft and the Vatican in partnership with Iconem, a French startup focused on digital preservation, the project created a precise digital twin of the basilica. Using drones, cameras, and lasers, over 400,000 high-resolution images were captured over three weeks to form a detailed 3D model of the basilica’s interior and exterior.

The AI analysis uncovered cracks and fissures not visible to the naked eye, aiding restoration efforts, and revealed previously hidden mosaic tiles and an elaborate ceiling. This initiative is regarded as one of the most advanced of its kind. Pope Francis expressed appreciation for the project, underscoring the importance of using modern technology to care for the basilica spiritually and physically. The digital twin also allows people who may never visit the Vatican to experience the basilica in extraordinary detail.

This technology has previously been applied to other historic sites, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, to support restoration following the 2019 fire.