Green Bay Bishop and Pope Tweet for First Time

Leaders of the Catholic church take to Twitter.

Both the Pope and Green Bay Diocese Bishop David Ricken sent their first tweets Wednesday.

The Pope's first tweet went to over a million people around the world.

"I'm trying to follow the example of Pope Benedict," says Bishop Ricken.

Bishop Ricken does not have an many followers as the Pope. His first tweet went out to about 2000 people who follow the Diocese of Green Bay on Twitter, but he says it is a good first step.

"Everybody is getting into the social media more and more, and we need to bring our connection to the people in ways with the kindof of media they are using, and we are going to be doing more and more of this as time goes on," says Ricken.

Engaging in social media is part of the diocese new Department of New Evangelization. An area focused on reawakening the faith of members of the Catholic church.

At the Vatican, Pope Benedict sent a welcoming tweet in eight languages across the world. Vatican officials say they hope the tweets will encourage debate.

"We're hoping that there is some shouting, it's like a papal trip, some people complaining about one thing or another but obviously millions of people who are there, who love the Pope or atleast want to listen respectfully and we think Twitter is a good way to do that," says Vatican Communications Advisor Greg Burke.

Father James Conlon says the tweets could help the Pope connect with younger generations.

"Most of my kids are tweeting so they will really connect with that. They'll see that the pope is up to date, he knows exactly about all the different modes of communucation that are out there," he says.

Back in Green Bay, Bishop Ricken plans to tweet regularly and maybe even send a direct message to the Pope.

"I hadn't thought about it, I guess I should try that," says Bishop Ricken.