Pope Benedict is inviting you to follow him for Lent, on Twitter.
The messages for Lent started on Ash Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) and the goal is to reach out with succinct messages.
“In concise phrases, often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated,” the Pontiff was quoted by the Guardian.
The Holy Father went on to emphasise the importance of taking part personally in the “conversation” and to cultivate the ideas in their own lives.
Over the 40 days of Lent, there will be one idea a day, said Msgr Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
“Many of the key Gospel ideas are readily rendered in just 140 characters,” he said.
Even without the Pope, “Lent” and “Ash Wednesday” were trending all day on Twitter and showing up prominently on popular search sites like Google.
As he attempts to conserve his energy, and forsaking the traditional very short procession between two Rome churches which he walked last year, the Pope began Lent by riding a golf cart, converted into a mobile pope mobile.
Associated Press however reports that the Pope marked the beginning of the Lenten season by placing the ashes on the forehead of some of the faithful, walking briskly and unaided in and out of the solemn service.
Sources