It looks like the Pope won’t be the only thing leaving the public eye at the end of the month – The papacy’s Twitter account will also be taking a hiatus.
“It seems unimaginable that one could continue to use a communication tool so popular and powerful during the ‘sede vacante’ period,” Vatican Radio reportedly broadcasted. “From choice, the Pontifex profile was not personalized, but it clearly refers to the person of the pope.”
The pontiff first made history in December when he first tweeted from his own personal account, @pontifex. While he has only sent out 36 tweets to date, he has amassed more than 1.5 million followers over the past few months.
It is still uncertain whether the next Pope will revive the Twitter account. Fingers crossed the papacy changes the Twitter handle to @popefiction!
But @pontifex Twitter followers, don’t unfollow just yet. The Vatican Radio reportedly promised Pope Benedict XVI will send out one last tweet before he leaves, most likely on February 27th, as he makes his last public address in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.
For the sake of nostalgia, let’s look back to his first:
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.
— Benedict XVI (@Pontifex) December 12, 2012
