The inaugural event, hosted by Milly Carlucci, took place on the evening of 2 October, featuring a musical tribute by Andrea Bocelli, while Peter’s narrating voice was that of Flavio Insinna.

The multimedia project marks the inauguration, from an artistic standpoint, of a cultural, spiritual and pastoral path accompanying the visit to the Basilica and the pilgrimage to Peter’s tomb. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Vatican City and President of Fondazione Fratelli tutti, explained: “This first stage shall be followed by other proposals of the Basilica: from the Lectiones Petri readings (beginning on 25 October and to be held by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi) to the spiritual itineraries across Rome’s venues associated with Peter, organised alongside the Vicariate of Rome; from the contemplation of the ‘Via Petri’ route on Saturdays in October and June to the daily prayer at the Apostle’s Tomb. These are all parts of a journey that leads to a human and spiritual encounter with Peter. An extraordinary encounter, a dialogue that accompanies us in becoming pilgrims, in answering the call to which Peter himself responded ‘Follow me’”.

The video mapping narration lasts about eight minutes and goes through the human and spiritual life of the fisherman who became a saint. It’s a very topical story, as Cardinal Gambetti points out: “In the era of ego’s solitude, Peter’s life is an engrossing experience in which to find a ‘You’, without which the ego cannot live; an experience that allows us to muster the strength required to build fraternity and social friendship, as Pope Francis calls for in his Encyclical Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers). These are the antidotes to violence and to the wars waged in history”.

Ancient art and technology interact here, and the three-dimensional effects enhance the masterpieces of the Basilica and of the Vatican Museums, including works by artists who have gone down in history, such as Antonio Cavallucci, Raphael, Guido Reni and Pietro Perugino: many extraordinary images and artistic wonders admired by millions of visitors every year.

The event’s message, namely, the symbolic and communicative strength of Peter’s life, is expressed – not by chance – in the square, in Bernini’s embracing colonnade, which stretches out to the world, wanting to reach everyone, even those who are furthest away.

From 2 to 16 October, inclusive, screenings will take place on a daily basis, from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, with a brief countdown between each screening.

To relive the experience, the video is now also available on Vatican News’ YouTube channles in English, Portoguese, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

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The inaugural screening of the video mapping “Follow me. The Life of Peter” will take place on the evening of Sunday 2 October, at 8:00 pm, with a greeting by H.E. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Vatican City. The special guest, Andrea Bocelli, will take part in the event with a musical tribute. The world-renowned singer will perform, among others, The First Noël, a song from his new album. Flavio Insinna, the narrating voice of the video mapping, will be on stage too. Milly Carlucci will be the event host.

During the event, the video mapping will be projected for the first time on the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica.

This multimedia event is an initiative promoted by Fondazione Fratelli tutti, by the Fabric of Saint Peter and by the Parish of the Basilica itself; it inaugurates, from an artistic standpoint, a pastoral path accompanying the visit to the Basilica and the pilgrimage to Peter’s tomb. The initiative is the first stage of the “Art and Faith” itineraries.

The life of the Fisherman from Galilee will be told through a sequence of images, taken from the foremost iconographic repertoires of the Basilica and of the Vatican Museums, blending new technologies and holy iconography. For the narration of this story, technological instruments capable of enhancing and harmonising images, sounds and words have been selected. Ancient meets modern through production technologies offering three-dimensional effects, so as to enhance the masterpieces of artists such as Raphael, Pietro Perugino, Guido Reni and Antonio Cavallucci.

The images will be projected from 2 October to 16 October, inclusive. Starting from 3 October, they will take place every evening, from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm, lasting roughly 8 minutes. A countdown will be projected between each screening. 

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