U.K. mobile phone users can get papal 'thought of the day'

Published: 2003-12-22

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For just 25 pence a day, mobile telephone users in the United Kingdom can receive a short text message with a thought or prayer from Pope John Paul II. The service, already available in Ireland and Italy, is provided by the Vatican press office and Acotel, a multimedia company. The daily offering is designed "for broad appeal to a wide audience" with short texts culled from papal homilies, messages and speeches, according to a Dec. 22 announcement. U.K. Vodaphone, O2, Orange and T-Mobile cellular phone customers can receive a message one-time only by sending the text message "POPE" to 61131, or receive messages daily by sending the text "POPE ON" to the same number. For each message received, the user will be charged 25 pence, just over U.S. 40 cents. The service can be discontinued by sending the text message "POPE OFF" to 61131. The messages are sent out at noon each day.

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