REAL, NOT VIRTUAL: Pope Benedict XVI put church leaders on notice Thursday, saying social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter aren't a virtual world they can ignore, but rather a very real world they must engage if they want to spread the faith to the next generation.

ATTRACTING FOLLOWERS: The 85-year-old Benedict used his annual message on social communications to stress the potential of social media for the church as it struggles to keep followers and attract new ones.

TWEETING PONTIFF: Benedict is a superstar online, with 2.5 million Twitter followers.