Pope Benedict XVI Begins Tweeting @Pontifex

#excathedra

In what is doubtless an upsetting move for doctrinal wonks around the globe, Pope Benedict XVI has opened a Twitter feed, where he will dispense divine wisdom to the masses in 140 characters or less. Which tweets are infallible? If retweets are endorsements, is forgiveness involved? If the Pope blocks you, are you excommunicated?

As of this morning, he is only "following" seven other users—all of them versions of his own feed in different languages, specifically German (his native tongue), Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Italian, French and Arabic—though he has 110,000 followers and counting so rapidly that it will probably be in the 115,000 range by the time this story is published.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Spring Special

Save 30% Off an ADWEEK Subscription Today!

View Your Options

Already a member? Sign in