Elon Musk’s brother pitches jubilee year drone show in Rome

Kimbal Musk Kimbal Musk speaks at the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 14, 2022, in Austin, Texas./ Credit: Chris Saucedo/Getty Images fpr SXSW

Kimbal Musk, entrepreneur and younger brother of Elon Musk, met with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri over the weekend to propose a drone-based musical light show for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee, according to Italian media.

Donning his signature cowboy hat, Musk discussed the concept at the Palazzo Senatorio on Jan. 25, aiming to create a privately sponsored event featuring drones choreographed to music. 

The previous day, he had met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, accompanied by Andrea Stroppa, Elon Musk’s representative in Italy, and Veronica Berti, the wife of tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Musk is also expected to pitch the idea for the musical drone show to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Vatican’s chief organizer of the jubilee, according to the Italian newspaper La Stampa.

Kimbal Musk serves on the board of Tesla and owns Nova Sky Stories, a company with a fleet of 9,000 advanced drones capable of producing large-scale light displays. Drone shows have gained popularity in recent years, featuring in events such as the Olympic Games, Super Bowl halftime show, and international expos. 

Rome hosted its first drone show in 2023 over the Colosseum as part of its bid to host Expo 2030. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti has previously shown openness to integrating light show technology. In 2022, the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica was illuminated with 3-D projection mapping of art from the Vatican Museums.

Gualtieri expressed surprise at Musk’s proposal, according to Corriere Della Sera, reportedly saying: “Considering the subject, we expected a new futuristic show, but in reality, it is the same technology that we have already used, for example, on the occasion of [the bid for] Expo 2030.”

The Vatican’s approval is still needed for the drone show’s realization as the Eternal City continues to prepare for many upcoming jubilee events.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.

As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Click here

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Donate to CNA