• May 26, 2009

No one can say the Vatican is out of touch when it comes to social media. Following up its YouTube channel and H20news iPhone app, the Holy See has launched Pope2You, an iPhone application that lets users to view pictures of Pope Benedict XVI, send virtual postcards of the pontiff to friends, and read his speeches and messages.

The move is part of the Vatican's ongoing effort to connect with young people. "Many young people today are not turning to traditional media like newspapers and magazines any more for information and entertainment," said Monsignor Paul Tighe, secretary of the Vatican's Social Communications department, quoted by Inside Facebook.

"They are looking to a different media culture, and this is our effort to ensure that the Church is present in that communications culture." And hey, even Jesus has his own Facebook page. --Mark Walsh