February 21, 2026 | 12:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourists visiting St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican are set to experience something entirely new. The highest administrative center of the Catholic Church has introduced several initiatives, including expanding terrace access and serving light snacks under the shadow of Michelangelo's grand dome. Visitors can now enjoy sandwiches and pizza along with refreshments at the site.
The new initiatives were launched to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter's Basilica, according to Euronews. On Monday, February 16, 2026, the Vatican outlined plans to better utilize the basilica and accommodate the millions of people who visit annually, while simultaneously safeguarding its artistic treasures.
Among these initiatives is a new online reservation system designed to reduce waiting times for entry. The Vatican will also provide simultaneous translations for Mass in up to 60 languages. In addition, a new permanent exhibition tracing the history of the basilica will open on the terrace, alongside an expanded snack bar for hungry pilgrims.
Regarding the bar, recent reports in the Italian media concerning the bistro on the terrace have raised questions about whether a sacred site housing the tomb of St. Peter should serve pizza to tourists on its roof.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti emphasized that providing sandwiches or drinks, along with restroom facilities, to basilica visitors, especially those who have exerted themselves to reach the Michelangelo-designed dome, is entirely acceptable.
To honor the Renaissance master, there is a related initiative: a new font available in Microsoft Office titled "Michelangelus," designed to mirror his actual handwriting style.
The construction initiative was launched to commemorate the consecration of St. Peter's Basilica in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII, which replaced the original structure.
In 2025, during its Jubilee year, the Vatican welcomed over 33 million pilgrims. The largest number of visitors arrived from Italy, the United States, Spain, Brazil, and Poland, as reported by Vatican News. This figure exceeded the initial projection of approximately 31 million pilgrims estimated by Roma Tre University.
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