THE SELFIE POPE AND MEME-ING THE FAITH

Pope Francis knew how to preach in the social media era.

- - By Olivia B. Waxman

He kept up with the latest apps, seeing them as opportunities to reach Catholics wherever they are. Though he stopped watching television in 1990, he joined Instagram in 2016, setting a record with 1.4 million followers in less than 12 hours. In the final days of his life, he was on weekly WhatsApp and video calls with a parish in the war zone of Gaza.

Young Catholics found him relatable, and it helped that the leader of the largest Christian church was also a fan of the world’s most-watched sport, soccer. He grew up rooting for the club San Lorenzo from his native Buenos Aires and met with legendary Argentine players Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.