Pope Benedict XVI sends first Twitter message

Pope Benedict XVI sent his first tweet earlier this week to launch a new web portal for Vatican news and information.

BBC News reports that the 84-year-old had several aides on hand to help him activate the portal and send his first message on Twitter through the use of an Apple iPad.

"Dear Friends, I just launched News.va," the Pope tweeted. "Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI."

The activation was timed to coincide with the feast day of St Peter and Paul this past Wednesday, which also marks the 60th anniversary of Pope Benedict's ordination.

The News.va Twitter account currently has over 65,000 followers but, so far, is following no-one.

The 'Vatican Today' news portal aims to offer "an exclusive multimedia presentation of all other communications websites of the Holy See".


/Digital Spy/