Pope's inaugural tweet

''Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart''

Pope Benedict XVI has sent his first much-anticipated Twitter message using his personal account @pontifex - which mean "pontiff" or "builder of bridges"

Pope Benedict XVI hit the 1 million Twitter follower mark on Wednesday as he sent his first tweet from his new account.
The 85-year-old Benedict pushed the button on a tablet brought to him at the end of his general audience Wednesday to send the message.