Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Simon Dawson/PA Archive
GOD B Wit U

The Pope is getting his own Twitter account

Pope Benedict is set to spread the Christian message in 140-character nuggets, though his username hasn’t been confirmed yet.

WHILE POPE BENEDICT may not be the biggest fan of social media, he has nevertheless recognized its ability to reach out to his flock, and maybe even gain new adherents (or ‘followers’).

Benedict is set to become the first pontiff to register a personal Twitter account, in an attempt to change with the times and use new technology, rather than outdated missives to communicate, the Guardian reports.

“The tweet can be reformulated, redistributed, relaunched and disseminated,” Father Claudio Maria Celli, the head of the Vatican’s pontifical council for social communications, said.

“In this sense it is like the gospel, a small mustard seed that once scattered grows into bushes where birds can rest.”

While ‘@BenedictusPPXVI‘ is the rumoured Twitter handle doing the rounds in the Italian press, the Vatican has refused to confirm it, and has not set a date for the first tweet.

Celli said tweets would probably include links to the pope’s speeches (we’re guessing there won’t be any personal photos with other celebrities).

Tweets from Benedict’s new personal account may not always be written by the pope himself, but will always be approved by him, a Vatican source told the Guardian.

This won’t be the first papal dalliance with Twitter, though. During Lent, he will be tweeting once a day from the site Pope2you’s twitter account.

He also tweeted the launch of the Vatican news site from Vatican Radio’s Twitter account last year.

- Sanya Khetani

Published with permission from
Business Insider
Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.