Pope Francis became (as we posted earlier today) the first pope to officially be ushered in in the social media age, despite his predecessor’s historic delving into Twitter.
Pope Francis immediately re-opened the @Pontifex Twitter account as he was elected after Pope Benedict’s historic resignation, but it was the first time in history the world’s Catholics were able to gather in a virtual space and watch and wait for the pontiff to be selected — the tags #blacksmoke and #whitesmoke trended intermittently as the papal conclave … conclaved, or whatever it is Cardinals do in seclusion when they’re pope-picking.
The selection of Pope Francis was definitely a sight to see in a social media space, as even non-Catholics were pulled into what many were calling Vatican Idol, the strange and arcane Holy Roman Church’s centuries-old traditions thrust into the spotlight for Protestants and others to again muse at while Catholic persons tended to party it up while sede vacante lasted.
But soon “Habeus Papam” was trending, and the world waited to hear that Pope Francis had been announced. Reaction was swift because Twitter now exists, with the powerful and the ordinary user alike reacting to the event.
Here are some of the top tweets to usher in the papacy of Pope Francis:
Obama on Pope Francis: “I look forward to working with His Holiness to advance peace, security, and dignity for our fellow human beings.”
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 13, 2013
On this joyous day, we have a new Holy Father, Pope Francis I. With joy in our hearts, we declare “Ad Multos Annos!” blog.archny.org/index.php/stat… — Cardinal Dolan (@CardinalDolan) March 14, 2013
Your guide to the views of Pope Francis on poverty, marriage equality and more: thkpr.gs/ZAeSBW #icymi — ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) March 14, 2013
Read the official text of Pope Francis’ first speech to the world: on.wsj.com/16sXTrF
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 14, 2013
Pope Francis I is the first non-European leader of the Catholic church in more than 1,200 years nyti.ms/YoWPRe
— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 14, 2013
Pope Francis. He’s a Jesuit. Jesuits have been a thorn in the side of the Vatican because they ask questions. They’re smart. They dissent.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) March 13, 2013
#Pope Francis gave the impression of humility by his choice of a name that is synonymous with self-denial and poverty econ.st/ZM9A9T
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 13, 2013
May God forgive you, Pope Francis jokingly told cardinals after election, Cardinal Dolan of New York said. on.cnn.com/10EgbC5
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 13, 2013
How did your Twitter react to Pope Francis’ election?
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