THE POPE ENTERS TWITTER WITH A BLESSING

Vatican City,  (VIS) - "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart".

This was Benedict XVI's first tweet, published after the blessing that concluded today's general audience. The Pope used a tablet to send his first tweet, which was transmitted in eight languages (English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Polish and Arabic), and displayed on a screen installed in the Paul VI Hall.

Throughout the day the Pope will respond to three questions - submitted from three different continents - selected from those sent during recent days.

The Holy Father already has over one million followers on Twitter.