St. Peter’s Basilica marks 400th anniversary of consecration

St. Peter’s Basilica is celebrating the 400th anniversary of its consecration. To prepare for the future, the Vatican has announced several upgrades to the iconic church, including technological improvements and structural monitoring.

Art historian Elizabeth Lev noted the site's historical evolution, from a simple brick wall in 190 A.D. to the Old St. Peter’s Basilica built by Constantine. The basilica has undergone significant structural changes over the centuries to address issues such as gravity and stability. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to mark the anniversary year with a Mass on November 18.