Irish worshippers now have a direct line to the Vatican - in the form of a daily text message from the Pope.
Every lunchtime a ``thought of the day`` is texted to the
mobile phones of those who subscribe to the service.
Ireland became the first country after Italy to be offered the service, with
users in the Republic receiving their first messages today.
Father Martin Clarke, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Ireland, said all
the messages were taken from the Pope`s homilies, talks and addresses.
``They are actually the words of the Pope himself that are sent each day,`` he
said.
But he added: ``I don`t think he is physically doing the texting himself.``
In order to subscribe, users text the words ``Pope on`` to a designated number.
For a fee of 20 cents per text a papal message is then sent to their telephone
every day at noon.
The service was launched in Italy in January and is now available to mobile
phone users across Ireland.
Fr Clarke said he had just signed up to the service and received his first
message today.
Today`s text said: ``The world needs a sign of hope for Christian families. May
they be able to open their doors to the Lord.``
He said the Pope had been prolific and that his messages were very easily
accessible.
``I think the idea of this new texting service is that Catholics throughout the
world - and young people in particular - are able to keep in touch with his
thinking and the message that he brings,`` Fr Clarke said.
He said Ireland was probably chosen because it is a very Catholic country with
high mobile phone usage.
``It is not essentially a money-making initiative on the part of the Vatican
but rather a way of ensuring that the Pope`s message - which is the gospel message
- can get across to people,`` he added.
``I am always inspired by the Pope`s ability to communicate and this is just
another example of it.``