VOA常速英语:Twitter # Gives Back to Social Media Pope

He is the most followed world leader on Twitterand for his first visit to Washington, Pope Francis is getting a very special gift, thanks to social media.
 
Twitter brought volunteers together to welcome the pope.

United by a hashtag (#), Catholics in the U.S. capital are carrying out a pledge to "Walk with Francis."
 
The Archdiocese of Washington started the hashtag for the papal visit.
 
Sarah Yaklic helped create the online pledge so that people could follow the Pope’s example and invite others on social media to join in.

“They are transforming the city, so the ways they are serving, maybe they are trying new methods of prayer or new advocacy methods or doing something kind for their neighbor, and they are bringing that story to life on social media," she explained.

At 78 years old, the pope is an unlikely figure for social media inspiration. He does not own a computer or watch TV, but he tweets in nine different languages.
 
Local Catholic Laura Roland was inspired by the pope’s example to go on social media.

“The Twittersphere has blown up with all things Francis," she said.

Roland had walked by a statue of Jesus as a homeless person outside Catholic Charities in Washington many times, and it made her think more deeply about the pope’s call.

“When I heard about the Walk with Francis pledge, I thought,'You know he is really calling me to practice what I say I profess'," she explained.