400 Years of St. Peter’s Basilica: A Series of Three Meetings

As part of the initiatives for the 4th Centenary of the dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica, a cycle of three meetings is being launched to guide the public on a journey through the memory, architecture, and artistic richness of the most renowned church in Christendom. The first event is scheduled for Tuesday, 24 March 2026 at St. Peter’s Basilica; according to the program presented for the centenary, the three pastoral lectures will take place at 7:00 PM at the Altar of the Chair, with subsequent meetings scheduled for 26 May and 13 October 2026.

The first meeting will focus in particular on the historical and cultural dimension of the Vatican Basilica, retracing its origins, its long architectural development, and the decorative heritage that has shaped its identity over the centuries. This in-depth journey will lead the audience from the burial of the Apostle Peter to the dedication of the new Basilica, intertwining faith, art, and history in a unified reading of St. Peter’s.

Opening the series will be: Dr. Pietro Zander, who will speak on the theme From the Burial of Peter to the Dedication of the New Basilica; Prof. Vitale Zanchettin, who will offer a reflection on The Architecture of the Basilica: Five Centuries of History; and Dr. Barbara Jatta, who will explore The Decorations of the Basilica and Bernini’s Monuments in St. Peter’s. Together, these three contributions will offer the public a broad and articulated interpretation of the Basilica, spanning its apostolic foundation, architectural transformations, and major decorative ensembles.

To participate, registration is required at this link.

The calendar of the meetings