On March 5, social media agency fishbat, Inc. comments on an article published by CNN on Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement and the events that lead to his final decision.

According to the CNN article by Eric Marrapodi, “The leader of 1.2 billion Catholics around the globe will leave his seat at the ornate Apostolic Palace and retire to a former gardener’s house at the Vatican to lead a life of prayer, likely removed entirely from public life.” Pope Benedict XVI plans to retire on Thursday, at 8 p.m. in Rome, and will be the “first retired pontiff in 600 years,” the article stated.

Faced with mounting criticism for his role in the sexual abuse crisis and his management in the “Vatileaks,” the pope will leave his post and pass over the details of these matters to his replacement. “Benedict said he no longer had the strength to go on,” the article stated. “After he announced his retirement, the Vatican said he had begun thinking about leaving the office after a strenuous papal visit barnstorming across Mexico and Cuba,” the article stated.

“In today’s world, we disseminate news instantaneously through social media and the pope’s retirement is an example of the consequences of mismanaged information and a major lesson in crisis communications,” Scott Darrohn, COO of fishbat, says.

Darrohn emphasizes the importance of maintaining one’s online reputation, especially if he or she is in the public eye. “Public figures are under tremendous pressure because one negative moment can mean the end of a career,” Darrohn says. “It’s crucial to have a strong PR team that knows how to handle impending crises so the issue can be resolved.”

fishbat, Inc. is a full service online marketing firm. Through social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), web design, and public relations, fishbat strives as a marketing firm to raise awareness about your brand and strengthen your corporate image.

#####