Pope in online outreach move

THE Pope entered the world of social networking sites and smartphones with the launch of a Vatican portal that includes Facebook and iPhone applications.

The Pope2You website allows Facebook users to send virtual postcards with photos of the Pope. An application for iPhone and iPod Touch gives surfers video and audio news on his travels and speeches, as well as on Catholic events worldwide.

The portal is the latest Vatican effort to broaden the Pope’s audience and reach out to young people. Earlier this year, he got his own YouTube channel.