(Newser)
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If you'd been looking forward to keeping up with ex-Pope Benedict's exploits as a Vatican lay-about/shadow pope on his @Pontifex Twitter feed, or maybe hoping he'd hand the handle off to his successor, we've got some bad news. The much-hyped account, which has drawn 2 million followers in just two and a half months, will be going away when Benedict hangs up his pope hat on February 28, Vatican Radio revealed today, according to CNN.
"It seems unimaginable that one could continue to use a communication tool so popular and powerful during the 'sede vacante' period," the station said. "From choice, the Pontifex profile was not personalized, but it clearly refers to the person of the pope." Benedict will likely send one last Tweet on February 27, the same day he gives his final general audience, or else a day later, "before retiring into silence."
