Electing a Pope in a Social Media World
March 12, 2013 - It's the first Papal Conclave to create a buzz around the world across the social media sphere.
It's an ancient ritual steeped in tradition, but the Catholic Church leaders are adapting to a modern society consumed with social media.
115 Cardinals have been locked inside the Sistine Chapel to elect Benedict the 16th's successor.
There's a worldwide frenzy on Twitter and other sites as Catholic Church leaders themselves embrace social media.
It's the first time technology has played a role like this during the Conclave.
"They actually have high tech sweeps that prevent people from texting or tweeting or any cell phone activity in the Chapel," said Brian Sheridan, Mercyhurst University.
Along with Twitter users tweeting when there's a new pope, several sites have popped up on the internet to notify you when someone has been picked.
"There's Pope Alarm, you can sign up to get a text message when they announce who the pope will be," said Sheridan. "There's smoke cam where there's a live feed where you can see white smoke or black smoke indicating if they've made their decision."
Another site has taken a different approach to the election.
Instead of Fantasy Football, it's Fantasy Conclave where you can pick who you think will be the next pope.
The Catholic Church has been around for centuries, but it seems now as if the leaders are starting to get involved on social media.
"Just as popes have gone onto television, and before that, radio, now social media is the way to communicate between people."
Several Cardinals, including Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Mahoney are on Twitter, even Cardinal Scola of Italy has an account.
So, if you're fascinated with the pope election, follow Papal Smoke Stack on Twitter, watch the live smoke cams online and sign up for Pope Alarm.
It's an ancient ritual steeped in tradition, but the Catholic Church leaders are adapting to a modern society consumed with social media.
115 Cardinals have been locked inside the Sistine Chapel to elect Benedict the 16th's successor.
There's a worldwide frenzy on Twitter and other sites as Catholic Church leaders themselves embrace social media.
It's the first time technology has played a role like this during the Conclave.
"They actually have high tech sweeps that prevent people from texting or tweeting or any cell phone activity in the Chapel," said Brian Sheridan, Mercyhurst University.
Along with Twitter users tweeting when there's a new pope, several sites have popped up on the internet to notify you when someone has been picked.
"There's Pope Alarm, you can sign up to get a text message when they announce who the pope will be," said Sheridan. "There's smoke cam where there's a live feed where you can see white smoke or black smoke indicating if they've made their decision."
Another site has taken a different approach to the election.
Instead of Fantasy Football, it's Fantasy Conclave where you can pick who you think will be the next pope.
The Catholic Church has been around for centuries, but it seems now as if the leaders are starting to get involved on social media.
"Just as popes have gone onto television, and before that, radio, now social media is the way to communicate between people."
Several Cardinals, including Cardinal Dolan and Cardinal Mahoney are on Twitter, even Cardinal Scola of Italy has an account.
So, if you're fascinated with the pope election, follow Papal Smoke Stack on Twitter, watch the live smoke cams online and sign up for Pope Alarm.
