OMG! Vatican unveils Pope''s Twitter handle: @pontifex

But while the pope will be one of the world's most high-profile tweeters and have many followers, he will not be following anyone himself.

"This is the new market of ideas and the Church has to be there. We want to use any method to spread the message. It's cost-effective and not very labour intensive and it is aimed at young people," Burke said.

PELLETS OF WISDOM

The Vatican said precautions had been taken to make sure the pope's certified account is not hacked. Only one computer in the Vatican's secretariat of state will be used for the tweets.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the Vatican's communications commission, said while he himself was not a big twitter fan he understood its importance and its possibilities for the Church.

"Reducing the pope's message to 140 characters is definitely a challenge but we have seen that a profound thought can also be expressed in a brief Biblical passage," Celli said. "We can see this as sparks of truth or pellets of wisdom". And are there any fears that it could create problems with a type of social media that generates so much discussion?

"I think the risk would be not to go there because you are afraid of going there. Then you would leave vacant a space that is important to spread the pope's teachings," said Monsignor Paul Tighe of the Vatican's communications commission.

The pope's Twitter page is designed in yellow and white - the colours of the Vatican, with a backdrop of the Vatican and his picture. It may change during different liturgical seasons of the year and when the pope is away from the Vatican on trips.

The pope, who still writes his speeches and books by hand, has given a qualified blessing to social networking.

In a document issued last year, he said the possibilities of new media and social networks offered "a great opportunity", but warned of the risks of depersonalisation, alienation, self-indulgence, and the dangers of having more virtual friends than real ones.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Tata Steel to shut UK technology centres, job cuts expected

Willing to work with India to deal with differences: China

Chances of Sarabjit Singh's survival 'slim', doctors say

Sarabjit Singh's family allowed to see him in Lahore hospital