The Vatican has launched an AI-assisted live translation service for Holy Mass attendees at Saint Peter's Basilica. The initiative, developed in partnership with language service provider Translated, offers real-time audio and text translations in 60 languages. Visitors can access the service by scanning a QR code, which opens a web page without requiring any app downloads.

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica, emphasized the service's mission to serve the Catholic Church's universal vocation. The technology builds on Lara, a translation AI tool Translated launched in 2024, which claims to work with the sensitivity of over 500,000 native-speaking professional translators. This marks a significant technological advancement for the Vatican, which previously partnered with tech giants IBM and Microsoft on AI ethics initiatives in 2020.

The service represents a major step in making religious services more accessible to international visitors while maintaining the Vatican's traditional role as a spiritual center for people of all nations and tongues. By leveraging AI technology, the Vatican aims to bridge language barriers during liturgies while preserving the sacred nature of the Mass experience.