Texting

High-tech Pope to Send Mass Text Messages

SYDNEY – While it’s not a direct line to God, plans for the Pope to send text messages to young people during World Youth Day promise a religious experience of sorts.

In a World Youth Day first, Pope Benedict XVI will send daily text messages of hope and inspiration to young people during the Sydney event.

The plan will connect the Pope with 225,000 pilgrims that are expected to converge on Sydney as part of the six-day Catholic festival in July.

They also will be able to attend digital prayer walls at event sites.

World Youth Day coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher said the idea behind the text service was to provide a unique experience by using new ways to connect with today’s tech-savvy youth.