section_path: Personal life/Social network use
section_name: Social network use
paragraph_text: Social network use
  
  In December 2012, the Vatican announced that Benedict XVI had joined social networking website Twitter, under the handle @Pontifex. His first tweet was made on 12 December and was "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." On 28 February 2013, the day he retired, the tweets were archived, and @Pontifex read " Sede Vacante ". The @Pontifex account would subsequently be handed over to Benedict's successors, Francis and Leo XIV.
  
  In December 2012, the Vatican announced that Benedict XVI had joined social networking website Twitter, under the handle @Pontifex. His first tweet was made on 12 December and was "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." On 28 February 2013, the day he retired, the tweets were archived, and @Pontifex read " Sede Vacante ". The @Pontifex account would subsequently be handed over to Benedict's successors, Francis and Leo XIV.