Why am I internet-stalking the pope?

image via The Verge

May 9, 2025, 3:10 AM

• •The author reflects on the unprecedented situation of the new Pope Leo XIV, an American, having a readily accessible digital footprint, which immediately became a source of information and memes.
• •The author contrasts the traditional methods of learning about a new pope with the modern approach of analyzing his social media activity, including retweets and Facebook profiles.
• •The author finds it odd that a religious figure is subjected to internet history scrutiny and possesses a digital footprint.
• •The author considers that the focus on the pope's digital history is a uniquely American way of assessing a religious leader, emphasizing his online activity over his religious work.

The article discusses the novelty of Pope Leo XIV, the first pope with an online presence, whose digital footprint is quickly becoming a subject of public scrutiny. The author, intrigued by the Catholic Church, is surprised to find that information about the new pope is gleaned from his retweets and Facebook activity rather than traditional sources. This new phenomenon raises questions about applying the same standards of online examination to a religious leader. The author suggests that the focus on the pope's digital history is a distinctly American, secular approach to understanding his papacy.

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