Abstract

In the first years of his pontificate, Pope Francis has stimulated significant changes of perspective fostering astonishment, hope and even fear. Social media are probably one of the most crucial frontlines for his efforts as suggested by official statements and policies. The impact/presence of the new papacy on Web 2.0 networks still engenders blurry considerations and assessments between optimism and risks of mere superficiality. Taking a sociology of the immagination perspective, the author focuses on the concepts of media centre and myth analyzing the new media-related policies and strategies applied by the Vatican, and the online icon of Pope Francis as an image spread across multiple platforms and audiences. Online environments will be interpreted both as socio-cultural constructs per se and domains ruled by specific patterns and opportunities.