On Friday, Pope Benedict XVI marked 43rdWorld Communications Day by launching the Vatican YouTube channel with a theme New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.

The pope said that new technology is truly a gift to humanity when it is used to reach out and promote understanding, But he said that it can also be misused to promote hatred and share degrading images. He also cautioned everyone and said that becoming obsessed with online networking can lead some people to isolate themselves from real social interaction.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, explained this week that Pope Benedict XVI enthusiastically accepted the idea of having a channel on YouTube, because it's worth embracing the risks this implies in order to proclaim Christ and his Gospel and bring him to the new generations.

Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli is the president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

Commenting on the reasons that led the Pope to agree to having a YouTube channel, Archbishop Celli added and explained that the Holy Father has made this decision because he wants to encounter people where they are at. He wants to encounter them and begin an open, frank, sincere and friendly dialogue.

From now people of the world will see the Pope in his mission as the successor of Peter through the powerful technology.

The Vatican channel, www.youtube.com/vaticanit, will broadcast short video news clips on pope's activities such as speeches and homilies, news spots, and Vatican and Church events the video news clips will be about two minutes long each day, it also has a links to the Vatican's existing website as well as Vatican Radio.

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