By Courtney Mares
Vatican City, Mar 19, 2025 / 13:45 pm
Minecraft, the popular video game known for its blocky, pixelated graphics, has launched a new educational edition that challenges students to explore and restore St. Peter’s Basilica.
Michelangelo’s dome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s colonnade, and the ancient tomb of the Apostle Peter have been recreated within Minecraft’s iconic digital world of 3D cubes and retro gaming aesthetic.
Microsoft and the Vatican unveiled the game, “Peter Is Here: AI for Cultural Heritage,” at a press event in Rome on March 18. The project is the latest step in their collaboration on an AI-enhanced experience of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, placed the educational video game under the patronage of St. Joseph, who was “the educator par excellence of the child of God.”
“Those who play with St. Peter’s Basilica in Minecraft Education have the opportunity to try their hand at creative architectural interventions, to discover the history of the basilica, to restore it, and to enter into the hidden meanings that it holds,” the cardinal said.
Restoring the Vatican, one block at a time
Designed for students aged 8–18, the game allows players to take on roles of skilled craftsmen and restoration workers responsible for maintaining St. Peter’s Basilica.
Unlock the Secrets of St. Peter’s Basilica with Minecraft: A Virtual Adventure
Embark on a unique journey through the majestic St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City with a new and innovative Minecraft game. By completing restoration tasks, players can earn golden papal key tokens while immersing themselves in the rich history, art, and architecture of this iconic landmark.
Eleven-year-old Michael Sterpi, a student at Rome’s Jesuit-run Massimiliano Massimo Institute, had the opportunity to test out the game. A seasoned Minecraft player on Xbox and PC, Sterpi was impressed by the intricate details of the virtual Vatican created in the game.
“I play Minecraft on Xbox and PC at home,” Sterpi shared. “This game is like really, really cool. With each block, they made the whole Vatican!”
As a student studying the life of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Sterpi felt a connection to the game and believed that Carlo would have loved it too. However, he emphasized that nothing can replace the awe-inspiring experience of seeing St. Peter’s Basilica in person.
“The real thing is much better, obviously,” Sterpi admitted.
While the virtual adventure offers a glimpse into the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, Sterpi’s sentiments remind us of the unparalleled grandeur of experiencing it firsthand. Join us on this virtual journey and discover the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica through the eyes of Minecraft. Who knows what treasures you may uncover in this digital exploration of one of the world’s most renowned architectural masterpieces.
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