The Pope’s Twitter account was a new frontier for the Catholic Church — but as Pope Benedict prepares to become the first Pope in 700 plus years to step down, his social media presence will also retire.
The Pope’s Twitter will wind down as the Pope himself retires at about 8 PM on February 28, and the Vatican addressed the decision on Vatican Radio, saying:
“It seems unimaginable that one could continue to use a communication tool so popular and powerful during the ‘sede vacante’ period … From choice, the Pontifex profile was not personalized, but it clearly refers to the person of the pope.”
On the Pope’s Twitter just ahead of the stunning Papal resignation, a portentious tweet came through the official account, reading:
“We must trust in the mighty power of God’s mercy. We are all sinners, but His grace transforms us and makes us new.”
Since that February 10 tweet, the Pope’s Twitter account has been employed twice — on February 13 and February 17. The two tweets read:
During the season of Lent which begins today, we renew our commitment to the path of conversion, making more room for God in our lives.
— Benedict XVI (@Pontifex) February 13, 2013
Lent is a favourable time in which to rediscover faith in God as the foundation of our lives and of the Church’s life
— Benedict XVI (@Pontifex) February 17, 2013
Do you think the Vatican should utilize a Papal Twitter account in the future?
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