Minecraft Education launches virtual St. Peter's Basilica experience
Minecraft Education has released 'Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage,' a playable digital reconstruction of St. Peter's Basilica. The experience allows students to explore the basilica's history and interact with artworks for restoration, emphasizing AI's role in conservation. It was created in collaboration with the Basilica of San Pietro, Vatican City, and Microsoft, as part of the 'La Basilica di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience' project for the 2025 Jubilee. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the basilica, cited Proverbs to support the spiritual value of gaming, while Monsignor Carlo Maria Polvani of the Dicastery for Culture and Education contrasted it with ethically dubious games. Access requires a student or teacher email for Minecraft Education.
Key facts
- Peter Is Here is a playable version of St. Peter's Basilica in Minecraft Education.
- The experience focuses on AI for cultural heritage and restoration.
- It is part of the 'La Basilica di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience' project for the 2025 Jubilee.
- Collaborators include Minecraft Education, Basilica of San Pietro, Vatican City, and Microsoft.
- Cardinal Mauro Gambetti spoke at the press conference, referencing Proverbs.
- Monsignor Carlo Maria Polvani criticized typical video games as ethically dubious.
- Access requires a student or teacher email for Minecraft Education.
- The project creates a 'digital twin' of the basilica using AI.
Entities
Institutions
- Minecraft Education
- Mojang
- Basilica of San Pietro
- Vatican City
- Microsoft
- Dicastery for Culture and Education
- Artribune
Locations
- St. Peter's Basilica
- Vatican City