Updated: December 2, 2012 11:27 PM | By The Associated Press, thecanadianpress.com

Pope's Twitter handle @Pontifex; will be Q&A

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI will start tweeting in six languages from his own personal handle (at)Pontifex on Dec. 12.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, left, and Vatican communications adviser Greg Burke present Pope Benedict XVI's Twitter web page, top right, to journalists at the Vatican press hall, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI will start tweeting in six languages from his own personal handle (at)Pontifex on Dec. 12. The Vatican said Monday the pope will be using a question and answer format in his first Tweet, focusing on answering questions about faith — in 140 characters. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI will start tweeting in six languages from his own personal handle (at)Pontifex on Dec. 12.

The Vatican said Monday the pope will be using a question and answer format in his first Tweet, focusing on answering questions about faith — in 140 characters.

The pope sent his first tweet last year from a Vatican account to launch the Holy See's news information portal. The Vatican's communications adviser Greg Burke told a press conference that the handle (at)Pontifex was chosen for the pope's personal account because it not only means pope in Latin, but also bridge-builder, suggesting unity. How often will the pope tweet? Burke said, "as often as he wants."

The Vatican has been increasing its presence in social media to try to spread the faith, particularly among the young.