Vatican Expands Visitor Experience at St. Peter’s Basilica to Mark 400th Anniversary

Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday

Florence offers free entry to local museums, Vatican announces new initiatives to mark 400th anniversary of St Peter's, and more news from Italy on Wednesday.

For its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica embraces AI and structural surveillance

Four centuries after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is turning to artificial intelligence and advanced monitoring technology to safeguard its future.

St. Peter’s marks 400 years with newly opened areas and digital access

The Vatican will open new parts of St. Peter’s — including the full terrace — and roll out a “SmartPass” digital entry system as it marks the basilica’s 400th anniversary. [...]

For Its 400th Anniversary, St. Peter's Basilica To Get 21st-Century Upgrade, Vatican Announces

Workers are seen in an undated photo doing a topographic survey campaign outside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The Vatican presented some new initiatives for the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica at a Feb. 16, 2026, news conference. (Photo: OSV News/courtesy Fabric of St. Peter) by Courtney Mares, OSV News ROME (OSV News) — Four hundred years after its consecration, St. Peter’s Basilica is getting a 21st-century…

St. Peter’s Basilica Marks 400 Years With Newly Opened Areas and Digital Access

The Vatican will open part of the terrace of St. Peter’s Basilica that has till now been closed to the public. The Vatican will open new parts of St. Peter’s — including the full terrace — and roll out a ‘SmartPass’ digital entry system as it marks the basilica’s 400th anniversary.

Vatican expands visitor access at St. Peter's Basilica to mark its 400th anniversary

The Vatican on Monday outlined its plans to make better use of St. Peter’s and better redistribute the millions of people who pass through it each year, while at the same time protecting its artistic treasures.