Vatican Announces Year-Long Initiatives for 400th Anniversary of St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican, Feb 17, 2026: The Vatican has announced a series of initiatives to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica, including the launch of a multilingual platform for pilgrims, the opening of previously inaccessible areas, and the introduction of a new font named ‘Michelangelus’.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro, outlined the programme during a press conference on Monday at the Holy See Press Office.

He said the commemorative year will begin on 20 February with the inauguration of a new Via Crucis and will conclude on 18 November with a Holy Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV.

Describing a year marked by spiritual, cultural and technological renewal, Cardinal Gambetti introduced new services for pilgrims and visitors. Among them is a multilingual liturgical platform developed in collaboration with the Dicastery for Communication and Translated, a global leader in AI-based language solutions.

The platform will offer real-time, AI-assisted translations accessible via smartphone, enabling the faithful to follow major liturgical celebrations in their chosen language.

At the Basilica’s entrance and at various points inside, visitors will be able to scan QR codes to access a dedicated webpage providing both audio and text translations, without needing to download applications or use specialised equipment.

The translation system will operate through Lara, the artificial intelligence interpreting platform developed by Translated.

Access to Previously Inaccessible Areas

Cardinal Gambetti also announced that areas of the monumental complex previously closed to the public will now be opened. These include the entire terrace, with its three fan-shaped sections, and the Octagonal Halls, which house scale models of the Basilica by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and of Michelangelo’s Dome, along with works from the Basilica’s museum archive.

To regulate visitor flow while safeguarding the sacred character of the site, a new real-time booking system called Smart Pass will be introduced.

An expanded digital ecosystem will also allow pilgrims to share prayers and personal testimonies.

Reflecting on the anniversary, the Cardinal said celebrating the centenary is not merely recalling a date, but “bringing back to the heart” what gives life and hope.

Spiritual Accompaniment and Renewal

The Archpriest announced weekly “Spiritual Elevations” featuring prayer and sacred music, along with pastoral lectures and scriptural reflections centred on Saint Peter.

A special pilgrimage route retracing the footsteps of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome will also be organised, alongside a theatrical performance near the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on 29 June.

He further presented “Beyond the Visible,” a joint project between the Fabric of Saint Peter and the Italian multinational energy company Eni, aimed at safeguarding the structural stability of the Basilica through integrated and permanent monitoring systems.

A New Font

Additionally, the Vatican will introduce a new institutional font called “Michelangelus,” inspired by the handwriting of Buonarroti and developed by Studio Gusto. The typeface will be included in the Microsoft Office package.

Concluding, Cardinal Gambetti observed that while Pope Julius II once rebuilt in order to renew, today renewal can take place without demolition, thanks to advanced technologies that will ensure Saint Peter’s Basilica continues welcoming pilgrims for centuries to come.

Courtesy: Vatican News