Papal Website, the Real Story
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: John Mulvihill
Topic: Rome
In 1995, Joaquin Navarro-Valls mentioned the Internet, and its potential to help the mission of the Church, to Pope John Paul II. The 75 year old Pontiff asked, "Are we already on the Internet?" When told it was awaiting his approval, the Pope said, "Do it immediately." On Christmas Day 1995, www.vatican.va went on line with a single page containing the Pope's Christmas homily, the Urbi et Orbi blessing, and a link to send him email. In the first 48 hours, more than 300,000 people from 70 countries visited the Vatican site and about 1,000 people left messages (Extension, August 2003).