Pope Launches New Catholic App for iPad

With the swipe of a pontifical finger, a new Catholic news app for smartphones and tablets is being launched.

At the conclusion of an audience with national directors of mission societies from around the world last week, Father Andrew Small, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, presented Pope Francis with an iPad to launch the new app, Catholic News Service reports.

"We want to put the missionary Gospel in the pockets of every young person around the world," Small told Francis, who responded, "Good."

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"With my finger? Here? Here?" the pope asked when it was time to launch the app. And at that point Francis "used the index finger of his right hand -- the one with the ring -- very gingerly" to unlock the app, Small told CNS.

The Missio app is a free download from iTunes and Google Play. It offers news and information in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Chinese and Arabic.

"The app is a way for the church and our Holy Father to reach the growing number of the world's people who have access to handheld mobile devices, a way to connect as the body of Christ," Small said.