Vatican officials on Monday outlined a slate of initiatives aimed at improving how visitors experience St. Peter’s Basilica as the Vatican marks the 400th anniversary of its consecration. The plans focus on making better use of the basilica and redistributing the flow of the millions of people who pass through it each year, while also protecting its artistic treasures.
Among the changes, the Vatican said it would introduce a new online reservation system designed to reduce the hourslong waits that can occur when people enter the basilica. It also said it will add simultaneous translations for Masses, with services available in up to 60 languages.
Vatican officials also said the terrace experience will expand, with a new permanent exhibition opening there to trace the basilica’s history. In addition, officials said the snack bar on the terrace will be expanded, describing the current facility as being “nearly doubled” in size.
The terrace upgrades come amid renewed attention in Italian media in recent weeks to the idea of serving food—an issue that has drawn criticism and questions about whether pizzas and similar offerings belong at a site considered sacred because it houses the tomb of St. Peter. The Vatican’s plans seek to pair hospitality with crowd management and the preservation of the basilica’s character and artworks.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who oversees aspects of operations at St. Peter’s, said in the Vatican outline that providing visitors with items such as a sandwich or a drink is acceptable, particularly for people who have gone to climb to the cupola designed by Michelangelo. He also pointed to the availability of basic amenities such as bathrooms for visitors to the basilica complex.
The Vatican said the initiatives are tied to the consecration in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII of St. Peter’s Basilica, which replaced an earlier basilica. Officials said the programs are sponsored by Italian energy company ENI, and they also include a Vatican-related tribute to Michelangelo, with a new font for Microsoft Office called “Michelangelus,” styled using what the Vatican described as his actual handwriting.