When Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement, there was just as much speculation over what would happen to his Twitter account, as there was speculation as to who would succeed him.  Now the Vatican is clarifying its answer.

The Vatican will keep the Twitter handle @Pontifex ready, just in case the next Pope and any future successors wish to use it.  But unless Benedict used it within the next few days, he will likely retire with 36 tweets made.

Benedict communicated in the usual Papal method today, speaking out his window for the last time.  In his final Sunday Blessing, he denied he was “abandoning” the church with his resignation, and said these events are “God’s will” (as opposed to published reports which suggest he resigned after being presented with a massive report detailing a burgeoning Financial and Gay Sex Scandal in the Vatican).