Pope Leo XIV Takes Over Vatican’s Social Media Handles
Introduction to Pope Leo XIV’s Social Media Presence
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has taken over the Vatican’s official social media handles, with a first Instagram post on Tuesday repeating the first words he said to the world as pope: “Peace be with you all!”
The @Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV post featured some of the photos that have documented the first days of history’s first American pope.
The Vatican said it was archiving the posts from Pope Francis ’ 12-year papacy. On X, the new account didn’t appear to be active Tuesday.
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The History of the @Pontifex Handle
The Vatican launched the @Pontifex handle in 2012 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI. It now comes in nine languages — English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, Arabic and Latin — and counts a combined 52 million followers.
Past popes didn’t actually send the posts, which were curated by the Vatican.
Previous Popes’ Social Media Presence
The former Cardinal Robert Prevost occasionally posted on X in an account started in 2011. It had been dormant since July 2023 but came back to life earlier this year to share criticism of Trump administration migration policies and comments by Vice President JD Vance.
What This Means for the Future of the Vatican’s Social Media
As Pope Leo XIV takes over the Vatican’s social media handles, it marks a new era in the way the Vatican communicates with the world. With a large following across multiple languages, the @Pontifex handle has become an important tool for the Vatican to share its message and connect with people around the world.
The Vatican’s decision to archive the posts from Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy is a significant step in preserving the history of the papacy and allowing for a smooth transition to the new pope’s social media presence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV’s takeover of the Vatican’s social media handles marks a new chapter in the Vatican’s online presence. With a strong foundation established by previous popes, Pope Leo XIV is well-positioned to continue to share the Vatican’s message with the world and connect with people from diverse backgrounds and languages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Pope Leo XIV?
A: Pope Leo XIV is the current pope of the Catholic Church and the first American pope in history.
Q: What is the @Pontifex handle?
A: The @Pontifex handle is the official social media handle of the Vatican, launched in 2012 during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI.
Q: How many languages is the @Pontifex handle available in?
A: The @Pontifex handle is available in nine languages — English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Polish, Arabic and Latin.
Q: How many followers does the @Pontifex handle have?
A: The @Pontifex handle has a combined 52 million followers across all languages.
