Pope Leo XIV has launched an official Instagram account, continuing the Vatican's active social media presence. This move follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, who utilized platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to communicate with a global audience. The new account, @Pontifex, aims to share the Pope's messages and activities, building upon the digital legacy established by Pope Francis. The Vatican's social media journey began in 2012 and has since become a crucial tool for evangelization and engagement with the faithful worldwide.
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Pope Leo XIV has launched an official Instagram account, [@Pontifex – Pope Leo XIV], continuing the Vatican's digital outreach 1 3 4. This move signifies the new Pope's commitment to maintaining an active presence on social media platforms 1 4. His first Instagram post echoed his message of peace, mirroring his initial Urbi et Orbi blessing 3.
Pope Leo XIV inherited the @Pontifex account on X (formerly Twitter), which boasts 52 million followers 1 3 4. Pope Francis' Instagram account, @Franciscus, which had over 10 million followers, will be archived as "Ad Memoriam" on the Vatican's website 1 3 4. Content previously published by Pope Francis on X will also be archived on the Vatican's institutional website 1 4.
The Vatican's presence on social media began in 2012 when Pope Benedict XVI launched the @Pontifex account on Twitter 1 3 4. Pope Benedict XVI's first tweet marked the beginning of a new era of digital communication for the Holy See 3. Pope Francis significantly expanded the Vatican's digital footprint by launching the @Franciscus Instagram account 3.
Pope Francis posted nearly 50,000 messages during his pontificate, achieving approximately 27 billion views in 2020 alone 1 3 4. Pope Leo XIV's new Instagram account quickly gained 6 million followers, indicating a strong start to his digital papacy 3. Pope Leo XIV inherits a powerful platform to share messages of faith, compassion, and hope 3.
How does the Church understand digital communication's evangelizing role?
The Catholic Church continues to embrace digital media as a tool for evangelization and communication, as seen in Pope Leo XIV's recent launch of an Instagram account. This initiative aligns with the Church's longstanding interest in social communication, recognizing its potential to connect with people, especially the youth, and to spread the Gospel .
The Church views social media as more than just a tool, but as a "space" where the Good News can be proclaimed . Pope Francis has acknowledged that the digital world is integrated into everyday life, influencing how people learn, share information, and form relationships . The Church's presence online is considered indispensable for engaging with individuals, particularly young people, and for prompting them to reflect on the meaning of life, ultimately guiding them toward Jesus Christ .
The Church's engagement with media dates back to the mid-20th century, with various Popes and councils emphasizing its importance.
The Church's practical engagement with social media has proven effective . A notable example is Pope Francis' prayer and message during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, which reached millions worldwide through traditional and digital media, offering unity and communion during a global crisis . The Holy See maintains an institutional website and a Twitter service for the Pope [@Pontifex], demonstrating its commitment to utilizing digital platforms for communication .
The internet and social media offer direct access to religious resources, overcome distance and isolation, and create virtual communities of faith . However, it is crucial to "test everything" online, discerning between truth and falsehood . The Church aims to use the digital environment to complement sacramental life, addressing theological and pastoral questions that arise .
In summary, Pope Leo XIV's launch of an Instagram account is a continuation of the Catholic Church's efforts to utilize modern media for evangelization, building community, and spreading the Gospel in an increasingly digital world.