Editing St. Peter's Basilica (section)

===Digital copies===
In the 2020s, the Vatican began seeking to use digital recreations of the Basilica in order to enhance education and allow people to experience it without needing to visit in person. In 2024, the Vatican partnered with [[Microsoft]] to create an interactive 3D model of the Basilica. The model was generated with artificial intelligence using over 400,000 high-resolution photographs taken by drones. Microsoft president [[Brad Smith (American lawyer)|Brad Smith]] described the project as "one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated projects of its kind that has ever been pursued".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mares |first=Courtney |title=Discover history of St. Peter's Basilica in new AI-enhanced 3D model |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260451/discover-the-history-of-st-peter-s-basilica-in-new-microsoft-online-ai-enhanced-3d-model |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> The Vatican further collaborated with Microsoft in 2025 through the creation of another interactive version of the Basilica, this time recreated in the video game ''[[Minecraft]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mares |first=Courtney |title=New Minecraft edition has students restore St. Peter's Basilica |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/262825/a-vatican-video-game-new-minecraft-edition-has-students-restore-st-peter-s-basilica |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref> The ''Minecraft'' map, titled "Peter is Here", was developed as part of the [[2025 Jubilee]] with the goal of engaging young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrant |first=Theo |date=2025-03-19 |title=You can now tour the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica in Minecraft |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/03/19/the-vatican-unveils-new-minecraft-game-for-kids-to-virtually-explore-st-peters-basilica |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref>