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Version 2 Version 3
The pope's Twitter account: @Pontifex The pope's Twitter account: @Pontifex
(8 days later)
Age: Newly inaugurated.Age: Newly inaugurated.
Appearance: Pope Benedict XVI, waving, next to 140 characters.Appearance: Pope Benedict XVI, waving, next to 140 characters.
What is it? It's the Pope's new Twitter account.What is it? It's the Pope's new Twitter account.
As in the leader of the Catholic Church? Yes, that Pope.As in the leader of the Catholic Church? Yes, that Pope.
The most powerful religious leader in the world? That's the guy.The most powerful religious leader in the world? That's the guy.
He's on Twitter now? He is indeed.He's on Twitter now? He is indeed.
Is he any good? It's too soon to tell.Is he any good? It's too soon to tell.
Well, what are his tweets like? I'm imagining links to kittens dressed as cardinals and the regular casual name-dropping of God. There has been none of that so far. He hasn't tweeted.Well, what are his tweets like? I'm imagining links to kittens dressed as cardinals and the regular casual name-dropping of God. There has been none of that so far. He hasn't tweeted.
The Pope's a lurker then? Yep. He's just amassing followers until 12 December.The Pope's a lurker then? Yep. He's just amassing followers until 12 December.
And then what? He's going to bust out the topical puns? Unlikely.And then what? He's going to bust out the topical puns? Unlikely.
Instagram photos of him and the Holy Ghost at trendy parties? Less likely still.Instagram photos of him and the Holy Ghost at trendy parties? Less likely still.
Well, what is he going to tweet then? According to the Vatican's senior media adviser: "We are going to get a spiritual message. The pope is not going to be walking around with a BlackBerry or an iPad and no one is going to be putting words into the pope's mouth. He will tweet what he wants to tweet."Well, what is he going to tweet then? According to the Vatican's senior media adviser: "We are going to get a spiritual message. The pope is not going to be walking around with a BlackBerry or an iPad and no one is going to be putting words into the pope's mouth. He will tweet what he wants to tweet."
But what does he want to tweet? Eventually, regular highlights of his weekly general audience and Sunday blessings, the occasional homily on a major Catholic holiday and papal reactions to natural disasters and other accidents God needs to make a statement on.But what does he want to tweet? Eventually, regular highlights of his weekly general audience and Sunday blessings, the occasional homily on a major Catholic holiday and papal reactions to natural disasters and other accidents God needs to make a statement on.
And on 12 December? He's planning to kick things off with a papal Q&A. His new digital followers will be asking him questions over the next eight days, and a lucky handful will be chosen to receive a full, 140-character answer from God's main man.And on 12 December? He's planning to kick things off with a papal Q&A. His new digital followers will be asking him questions over the next eight days, and a lucky handful will be chosen to receive a full, 140-character answer from God's main man.
What's been asked so far? Mostly deep philosophical and theological questions.What's been asked so far? Mostly deep philosophical and theological questions.
Such as? "Will I get excommunicated if I block you on Twitter?"Such as? "Will I get excommunicated if I block you on Twitter?"
Brilliant. How do I get in on this? Just use the hashtag #askpontifex.Brilliant. How do I get in on this? Just use the hashtag #askpontifex.
Do say: "It's the spiritual successor to Ask Jeeves."Do say: "It's the spiritual successor to Ask Jeeves."
Don't say: "Just unfollowed @Pontifex. We get it dude. You like God."Don't say: "Just unfollowed @Pontifex. We get it dude. You like God."
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