The Vatican website is housed in the Apostolic Palace, just three floors below Pope John Paul II's personal quarters. It is run by an American, Sister Judith Zoebelein F.S.E., who is assisted by three young Italians and lots of guardian angels. In fact, three of the machines carry the names of archangels - Raphael (the server), Michael (the firewall), and Gabriel (the archangel-- need we say more?). Another machine is called the cherubim. "We're really into angels; we need their protection," says Zoebelein.
The site was initially launched a year ago, but since then has basically published just a short daily news bulletin from VIS, the Vatican Information Service, and a smattering of papal documents. There was actually a mailbox for the Pope but it had to be shut down after just a month because it was impossible to respond to the thousands of messages pouring in. When the Vatican re-launches the site early next year, it will feature major writings from the Pope's 18-year pontificate in six languages, documents from various Vatican agencies, a calendar of events, and news. A search engine will allow viewers to plug in a word like "family" to see what the Pope has to say about it. (Quite a lot.)
Zoebelein, 47, who wears a long brown habit and a black veil, says it was the Pope himself who pushed the Internet project. "The Holy Father really wanted it," she says. "He sees evangelization as something that can be carried out via the Internet." Is John Paul on line? "Not yet," Zoebelein says with a laugh. "But we're working on it." Zoebelein compares the way the Internet works to the way the Holy Spirit works - silent and invisible.
-- Reported by Greg Burke
Photo credits: PAOLO COCCO:REUTERS