The Vatican Library unveiled a new initiative to preserve its manuscript collection. Social media users and donors will be rewarded NFTs for their support. The crypto industry is already cracking all kinds of jokes about holy tokens.

Well, the tokens are not supposed to be holy. But the Vatican Library, established back in the 15th century, is now using NFTs to increase its online following.

NFTs will be given out to supporters of its manuscript collection through an agreement with NTT DATA Italia. That is an information technology services provider, the Vatican has chosen to be its digital provider.

“The project is aimed at expanding the online community of the Vatican Apostolic Library by putting the cultural institution in contact with its supporters through Web3 technology,” the institution said in a statement.

People who share its “Web3 Support Project” on social media through July 16 will receive a so-called "Silver NFT" that unlocks access to 15 different manuscripts.

Those who make a donation in the library’s name will be granted a “Gold NFT.” That one gives access to 21 manuscripts.

Interestingly, the "holy tokens" will be non-transferable. It means that the NFTs will be soulbound, and thus non-financial and linked to a specific wallet forever.

The project uses NFTs listed on OpenSea and distributed via Polygon blockchain.

As of now, 419 owners have already received their NFTs for supporting the Vatican Library.

The Library was found in 15th century with its current building in Vatican City date back to the late 16th century. At the moment the Vatican Library preserves 180,000 manuscripts and over 1.5 million books, as well as 200,000 photographs, more than 150,000 prints, and over 300,000 coins and medals.