St Peter’s Square witnessed a once in a lifetime spectacle on 13 September 2025, as more than 80,000 people gathered for the Grace for the World concert and a historic aerial display. For the first time in Vatican history, over 3,000 drones lit up the night sky above St Peter’s Basilica, creating vivid images of Pope Francis, the Virgin Mary, doves of peace, glowing hearts and Michelangelo’s masterpieces including the Creation of Adam and the Pietà.
The concert was co directed by Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams and combined centuries of religious art with modern technology. It marked a milestone for large scale cultural and spiritual celebrations, blending sacred tradition with innovation.
The aerial performance was designed by Kimbal Musk’s company Nova Sky Stories and took nearly two years of planning. Drones were launched in precise groups with hidden charging bases across Vatican parking areas and nearby train tracks, enabling complex flight paths to recreate religious and cultural icons.
The drone concert lineup included Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Karol G and the gospel choir Voices of Fire. Bocelli opened with a duet of Amazing Grace alongside American singer Teddy Swims, setting a reflective tone before the drone display lit up the sky.
The evening also featured appeals for peace and human rights by Nobel Peace Prize laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Nadia Murad, as well as activist Graça Machel Mandela. Organisers highlighted that the event’s purpose was to unite faith and art while spreading a message of fraternity and hope to the world.
Although Pope Leo XIV did not attend, he supported the drone event and its use of technology to share messages of faith, peace and unity. The Pope, who recently marked his 70th birthday, encouraged new ways of merging sacred heritage with modern innovation.
The night closed with drones forming a luminous dove over the basilica, symbolising peace and unity. The performance showcased the power of technology to honour faith and culture, leaving a lasting impression on those present and millions watching globally. Many described it as a moment where the past and future of faith came together in harmony.
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