Pope Benedict XVI Sends Out First Tweet To Followers

In this June 28, 2011 file photo, Pope Benedict XVI touches a touchpad to send a tweet for the launch of the Vatican news information portal "www.news.va", at the Vatican. The Vatican said Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, that Pope Benedict XVI will start tweeting in six languages from his own personal handle (at)Pontifex, on Dec. 12. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, File

VATICAN CITY (WUSA) -- Pope Benedict XVI is the newest active member of the Twitterverse.

Around 5:30 a.m. (EST) the Pope sent out his first Tweet using the handle @Pontifex:

Benedict XVI @Pontifex

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 currently has 669,339 followers, and counting.