And high time, too, since things were getting pretty boring for us Protestant ne'er-do-wells.
The full story comes from our ever helpful friends on the left at the UK Guardian, here, from which this explanatory excerpt:
'Indulgences these days are granted to those who carry out certain tasks – such as climbing the Sacred Steps, in Rome (reportedly brought from Pontius Pilate's house after Jesus scaled them before his crucifixion), a feat that earns believers seven years off purgatory.
'But attendance at events such as the Catholic World Youth Day, in Rio de Janeiro, a week-long event starting on 22 July, can also win an indulgence.
'Mindful of the faithful who cannot afford to fly to Brazil, the Vatican's sacred apostolic penitentiary, a court which handles the forgiveness of sins, has also extended the privilege to those following the "rites and pious exercises" of the event on television, radio and through social media.
'"That includes following Twitter," said a source at the penitentiary, referring to Pope Francis' Twitter account, which has gathered seven million followers. "But you must be following the events live. It is not as if you can get an indulgence by chatting on the internet."'
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How easy it is to get out of seven years in ppppurgatory when there's not a thing you can do to escape eight years of Barack Obama. "Greater things than these shall ye do" my foot.
