London - Salvation, or at least a shorter stay in Purgatory, might now be only a tweet away with the news that Pope Francis is to offer “indulgences” - remissions for temporary punishment in the afterlife - to the faithful who follow him on Twitter.
Around 1.5 million devotees are expected to flock to Rio de Janeiro for World Youth Day with the pontiff later this month. But for those who can't make it to Brazil, forgiveness may be available to contrite sinners who follow Francis's progress via their TV screen or social networks.
The Sacred Apostolic Penitentiary, the Vatican court that rules on the forgiveness of sins, has said indulgences may be given to those who follow the “rites and pious exercises” of the event on television, radio and through social media. The Pope's Twitter account, which already has seven million followers, would be one such medium.
Vatican officials noted, however, that believers would first have to confess their sins, offer prayers and attend Mass. “You can't obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine,” Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communication, told Corriere della Sera. - The Independent