VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul gave his blessing May 12 to evangelism through the Internet, according to Reuters.
In his weekly address at St. Peter's Square, the Pope proposed a new theme for 2002: "The Internet - a new forum for proclaiming the Gospel."
"Recent progress in communications and information have presented the church with unheard-of possibilities for evangelism," he said. "We shouldn't be afraid to put to sea in the vast ocean of information. If we do so, the good news can reach the hearts of the men and women of the new millennium."
In January, the Pope had emphasized the Internet's potential for harm, saying it could demean human dignity, according to Reuters. The Pope sent his first e-mail last year, through the Vatican's Web site. The Vatican didn't release any specifics regarding how it will use the Internet to reach unbelievers.
The Vatican has extensive media interests, including a publishing house, radio station, missionary news agency, television station and newspaper.
