One hell of a deal: Pope Francis offers reduced time in Purgatory for
Catholics that follow him on Twitter
The Penitentiary said that Pope Francis' Twitter account,
which has already gathered seven million followers, would be one such medium to
follow the 'rites and pious exercises'
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Court in charge of
forgiveness of sins says those that follow upcoming event via social media will
be granted indulgences
Wednesday 17 July 2013
Salvation – or at least a shorter stay in Purgatory –
might now be only a tweet away with news that Pope Francis is to offer
“indulgences” – remissions for temporary punishment – to the faithful who
follow him on the social media site.
Around 1.5 million are expected to flock to Rio de
Janeiro to celebrate World Youth Day with the Argentine 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 that indulgences may be given to
those who follow the “rites and pious exercises” of the event on television,
radio and through social media.
The Penitentiary said that Pope Francis' Twitter account,
which has already gathered seven million followers, would be one such medium.
Vatican officials, noted however, that to obtain
indulgences over the internet or otherwise, 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 the Italian newspaper Corriere della
Sera.
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