Since Pope Benedict launched the @Pontifex account on Twitter, five years ago, now, Dec. 12, 2017, Pope Francis is followed by 40 million people in nine languages.
On Vatican Radio, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Substitute for General Affairs of the Vatican Secretary of State, reflected on this instrument “of evangelization” on Vatican Radio.
Recalling the opening of the account, the Vatican official noted that while Pope Benedict was a little unsure about pressing the tablet’s keys, at the same time, «I saw him joyful – joyful to be able to dialogue» and «be part of the new wave of modern communicators.”
The Argentine Pope even if unfamiliar with new technology, is still interested, “isn’t familiar with the new technologies, he is, nevertheless, interested. He wants to see; to be up-to-date; he reads this instrument! . . . He reads the tweets that he must publish and approves them with great enthusiasm.”
“I think that the Pope is conscious of being a evangelizer, the first missionary of the world. Therefore, for him . . . all instruments that can bring his evangelizing word are good,” he added, expressing the Pontiff’s appreciation for Twitter.
Pope Francis’ advice, Archbishop Becciu recalled, in using the social networks, was very practical, namely not to abuse them, nor use them at Mass.
«One needs to have courage and wisdom . . . Courage because it’s a novelty and, therefore, one must know how to “launch oneself” in these novelties. And then wisdom: as with all instruments, it must be used in the right way.”
Archbishop Becciu concluded, saying: «Twitter must not be a place of harm, but “an instrument that helps to communicate with others.»
