Pope calls the Internet a “gift to humanity”

Get Your PopeCorn… The Vatican Goes Social

Nick Vivarelli in Daily Variety reported today that the Vatican has launched a YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/vaticanit.  I honestly would not call the content riveting but I applaud the new Vatican initiative. 

I personally think that Chris DeCeasar at YouTube should reach out to have the 81-year-old pontiff host YouTube Live ‘09.  I would like to see Benedict XVI mix-it-up with Tay Zonday and BeardyMan. 

More importantly, the Variety story also noted that The Pope called the Internet a “gift to humanity” and praised the benefits of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace in forging friendships, though he also cautioned that “obsessive” on-line social interaction could lead to isolation.

I hope people are paying attention.  This is a very strong validation of social media and the Internet as a medium.  I do not expect the pontiff’s statements to drive pricing on tech stocks; however, the sales teams at social networks should genuflect, say two Hail Mary’s and promise not to view any more salacious content online until their next confession.

I can’t wait for the Sequel…