Pope Encourages Use of New Media!

Last updated on: September 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm

October 28, 2012 by Kathy Schiffer

Kathy and Elizabeth at the Blogfest — Kathy Schiffer and Elizabeth Scalia at the Vatican Blogfest

In May 2011, the Vatican held their first-ever Vatican Blogfest, bringing together 150 bloggers from around the world.

On June 29, 2011—with a quick touch of his iPad—Pope Benedict launched the Vatican’s new, updated website, news.va.

Pope-Benedicts-tweet — Pope Benedict’s tweet

In November 2011, I reported about the extensive use of social media at the U.S. Bishops’ Fall General Assembly—especially the fine reporting by the USCCB’s “Uber-Tweeter” Bishop Christopher Coyne.

And in November 2012, the U.S. bishops will strengthen the bloggers’ relationship with the Church by hosting a Bishops/Bloggers Meeting before the official opening of the USCCB General Assembly in Baltimore. Later that week, at the General Assembly, the bishops are expected to approve a new document encouraging the use of social media in the New Evangelization.

So of course, it’s time for Pope Benedict to embrace Facebook as a way to make new friends around the world! Here’s how I imagine it will go: