Minecraft in San Pietro with Peter is here, collaboration between Microsoft and the Vatican

As pointed out by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of San Pietro, the initiative aims to facilitate an authentic immersion in the spiritual, artistic and architectural reality of the Basilica. The use of a playful platform such as Minecraft Education amplifies learning opportunities, promoting reflection and knowledge. “Peter is here” represents a significant example of how technology, and in particular artificial intelligence, can be used creatively for the enhancement of cultural heritage. Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, highlights how the project has allowed to make the culture, religion and history of this institution accessible to students from all over the world.

The use of artificial intelligence is pervasive and strategic. Microsoft Copilot supported the research and contextualization of the historical information present in the game, while Microsoft Designer has contributed to the conceptualization of the graphic elements. The game mechanics were developed thanks to Microsoft Visual Studio and Github Copilot. Finally, Microsoft Copilot and Azure Openii GPT-4.0 guaranteed the adequacy of the textual content to the age of users and their accessibility.

The integration of “Peter is here” in school programs is already a reality, with Catholic schools globally and numerous Italian schools at the forefront. The participation in the launch event of Dr. Mauro Antonelli, head of the technical secretariat of the Ministry of Education and merit, and of Monsignor Carlo Maria Polvani, secretary of the Dicastery for culture and education, testifies to the importance attributed to the project from an educational and institutional point of view.

“Peter is here” is available for all users in possession of a minecraft education license. Students and teachers can also access a free trial version. In support of the teaching activity, complementary materials are available, including PowerPoint presentations and work notebooks, designed to facilitate learning and deepening content. The project is part of a larger context of collaboration between Microsoft and the Basilica of San Pietro, inaugurated with the digital and physical exhibition “La Basilica di San Pietro”, launched in view of the Jubilee 2025. Both initiatives demonstrate the joint commitment in the use of the most advanced technologies to promote the knowledge and use of the cultural heritage in innovative and accessible ways to a global public.