Pope John Paul II said today he sees the Internet as a valuable tool for spreading the word of God.
"We should enter this increasingly sophisticated communications network with realism and confidence," the Pope told thousands of pilgrims gathered on Saint Peter's square in Rome.
"If it is used competently and responsibly, it could offer an opportunity for spreading the evangelical word," he said.
The Holy See made its first official venture on to the world wide web on December 25, 1995, when it opened a papal website bearing his Christmas message.
The frail head of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated the occasion by surfing the web -- with the help of nun Judith Suzoebelein, nicknamed "Mother Cyber" - and answered e-mail questions form the faithful around the world.
The site was later shut down because it was clogged up with messages to the Pope.
On Sunday, the 81-year-old pontiff voiced renewed interest in the web, saying he would ask the church this year to consider ways of using the net to convert worldwide.
AFP