Pope Francis will inaugurate this Monday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m., a webcam showing the tomb of Saint Peter, located under the high altar of the Vatican basilica.
On the eve of the Jubilee of the year 2025, the communication of Saint Peter's Basilica is equipped with technological innovations, which were presented at the Vatican.
In front of journalists, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the basilica and president of the Fabrique de Saint-Pierre – an organization responsible for managing the building – and Father Enzo Fortunato, director of communications for the basilica, announced that Pope Francis himself would inaugurate a webcam showing the tomb of Saint Peter, Monday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m.
“virtual” access to the sacred relic
The tomb of Saint Peter is located under the high altar of the Vatican basilica, on a small funerary aedicule from the first century – called the “trophy of Gaius” – which tradition recognizes as that of the first pope.
Over the centuries, the monument has been enclosed in a marble shrine and covered by Bernini's famous baldachin, itself recently restored. Until now, visitors to St. Peter's Basilica could see from a certain distance the cavity presenting the tomb, protected behind a window.
From now on, the webcam installed on the site will allow faithful from all over the world to have “virtual” access to this sacred relic under the dome of the basilica. The Vatican already has a permanent webcam that allows you to see St. Peter's Square at any time.
Another webcam will be installed on the Holy Door that Pope Francis will open on December 24, inaugurating the Jubilee of the year 2025. This door, located to the right of the transept, engraved with sixteen panels telling the story of the redemption of the man is usually sealed from the interior of the basilica by a brick wall, in which is enclosed the box containing his keys. It is only open at the time of jubilees, every 25 years.
