Comments for Pope2You: Vatican Launches Boring IPhone and Facebook Apps

Pope2You: Vatican Launches Boring IPhone and Facebook Apps

2009-05-22T18:06:37Z

The Catholic Church isn't exactly known for its speedy adoption of new technologies, but today the Vatican launched a new web portal, as well as a Facebook app to coincide with the upcoming 43rd World Communications Day. In addition, the Vatican also announced an iPhone application. The iPhone application has not been approved by Apple yet, (we assume that even the Vatican's apps gets scoured for porn and profanities), but the Facebook app is available now.

]]> iPhone App: Not Approved Yet

None of these apps look to be groundbreaking in either design or functionality. The iPhone/iPod touch app, once approved, will give users the ability to watch videos and hear speeches by Pope Benedict XVI, as well as other content from Catholic events worldwide.

Facebook App: Boring

The Facebook app, which is currently loading very slowly, is also not exactly the most groundbreaking app either. Facebook users will be able to send and receive 20 different virtual postcards of the Pope, with texts available in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish (with Latin being conspicuously absent here). According to the app's description, installing it will allow you to "Spread friendship with the Pope and become a witness of Christ in the world through the web."

In January this year, the Vatican also launched its YouTube channel, though so far, none of the videos posted there have gone viral yet.

Disappointment: Can't Poke the Pope

For now, however, users who were hoping to get a chance to poke the Pope or even just friend him on Facebook are out of luck, as the Pope does not have an official Facebook profile, yet.

Comment from Rusharyono Luwi on 2010-03-27

2010-03-27T19:39:48Z

Seneng rasanya dapat menuliskan sesuatu kepada Bapa Paus, tetapi kapan ada bahasa Indonesianya ?
It's a happy time to write something to my Pope/

Comment from Felix on 2009-07-14

2009-07-14T09:45:40Z

thank you ...

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2009-06-16T00:01:17Z

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2009-06-09T12:48:37Z

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Comment from Hassan Ramay on 2009-06-01

2009-06-02T00:07:07Z

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Comment from Donv69 on 2009-05-23

2009-05-23T16:12:24Z

The iPhone app will probably be rejected for obscene language. ;-)

Comment from Usman on 2009-05-23

2009-05-23T15:59:20Z

The greatest benefit of Facebook is that it has many groups on the site that you can join. So if you are interested in Chicago Cubs you can research Chicago Cubs in the groups section and you will be able to find friends on there that like the Cubs. This is just one example, I know that you can join groups of your favorite football team, television show, or whatever you want for the most part! If you can't find a group for your interest, you can simply create one!

UQ
http://EmailCharger.com

Comment from ITrush on 2009-05-23

2009-05-23T11:35:07Z

Interesting idea.. It's good to know that there are other options to visit and good letters to collect instead of those junk mails flooding out my inbox.

Comment from Yohanes warsito nurhadi on 2009-05-23

2009-05-23T09:29:01Z

I Love situs pope2you vatikan n i love paus benedict n paus Yohanes Paulus II he start world

Comment from Windowslogy on 2009-05-23

2009-05-23T09:14:01Z

From the tech point of view, these apps are maybe nothing but are somehow helpful for Christians worldwide to keep in touch with the Pope. I hope the Pope set up an official facebook quickly. It's gonna be fun to poke a pope.

Comment from MMO Pinoy on 2009-05-22

2009-05-23T03:10:11Z

Even the Church is now into technology. But unfortunately, that Facebook app is really boring.

Comment from Carlos on 2009-05-22

2009-05-23T02:16:25Z

Anyone can have more friends or followers than the pope on social sites :) http://twittas.com/benedicto/

Comment from Dean on 2009-05-22

2009-05-23T00:27:27Z

@Robin: I agree, Cameron Moll did a very good job on those sites!

The Pope pages have the right idea (postcards with the Pope, etc), but imo, rather poor execution.

It could, and should, be so much more. And I can see them doing a 2.0 version with fantastic art and updates.

Comment from Vince Stevenson on 2009-05-22

2009-05-22T21:58:15Z

I am saying my prayers that this is untrue... Rgds Vince

Comment from Orkut Junior on 2009-05-22

2009-05-22T20:27:28Z

Probably not a great direction to move in. Am not sure though. But it will reach more ppl this way no doubt.

Comment from Robin on 2009-05-22

2009-05-22T19:20:59Z

Actually, I think the Church has done a reasonably good job of embracing the new technologies, especially considering the size and nature of the institution. The timeline of the Church, after all, is eternity.

Having said that, there's plenty of room for improvement and I think your review of their latest efforts is pretty much spot-on. I was just suggesting on another Catholic blog that perhaps the Vatican should hire a CTO, or at least a talented designer like Cameron Moll, who's been doing some awfully good work for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Shame that I can't just tweet that suggestion over to the Pope...

Comment from Michael on 2009-05-22

2009-05-22T18:50:35Z

is nothing sacred anymore? ;)