Holy Smoke, There's a "Pope App"

Anyone with "The Pope App" on their smart phone can watch for the white smoke that heralds a new pontiff on a live stream from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

Published

3 months ago

Categories

Technology, Arts & Society

Topics

Apps, Religion & Spirituality

Transcript

It'll certainly be a hot news story - and tech savvy Catholics are hoping to be the first to know when a new Pope is selected. They're using "The Pope App" to watch for white smoke from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel. The procedure for heralding a new pontiff may be centuries old but the Pontifical Council on Social Communications is bang up to date The last Pope had his own Twitter account and Peter Williams from the UK's Catholic Voices says it's good the church is using social media. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CATHOLIC WRITER AND SPEAKER FOR CATHOLIC VOICES, PETER D. WILLIAMS, SAYING: "It allows it to spread its message to another generation that hasn't had so much interest in religion but has a thirst for spirituality and if it can reach that generation, the younger generation and allow its message to be easily propagated among them, actually that will do The Church a great service." But not everyone's convinced. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHARLES WILSON FROM LONDON, SAYING: "I think they need to have better communication, they need to have better management, all of that I'm totally in favour of. An app as a tool is quite good, but I'm personally not bothered to download it right now." (SOUNDBITE) (English) HELEN NICHOLSON FROM LONDON, SAYING: "I think it's getting too modernised. They haven't updated their ideas and stuff but they're willing to update their technology and stuff, so..." Pilgrims from across the globe continue to gather in St Peter's square, hoping to witness the announcement of a new leader. Many more it seems are watching on their smartphones - without umbrellas - from the comfort of their homes.