Entering the eternal paradise may be just a few clicks away. But many people doubted this new gimmick of the Vatican.

Netizens seemed to be mocking the news that stated that Catholics will receive indulgences with the use of the new media. The Papal court, which is handling pardons for sins, says that devout Catholics may win some "time off" from purgatory by simply following Pope Francis and World Youth Day Celebrations on Twitter.

Some commenters posted that the news is a joke and that the only way to heaven is through Christ alone. Others were questioning if this proclamation of the Vatican is written in the Bible.

The Vatican is keeping up with the modern times and is utilizing the digital technology such as the social media by offering "indulgences" to followers of Pope Francis' tweets. The church granted indulgences and reduced the time Catholics believe they will have to spend in purgatory after they have confessed and been absolved of their sins.

Attendance at events such as the Catholic World Youth Day, in Rio de Janeiro, a week-long event starting on 22 July, can also win an indulgence.

To the believers who cannot afford to fly to Brazil, the court which handles the forgiveness of sins, has also extended the privilege to those following the "rites and pious exercises" of the event on television, radio and through social media.

According to an unnamed source cited by Guardian, "that includes following Twitter," referring to Pope Francis' Twitter account, which has gathered seven million followers. "But you must be following the events live. It is not as if you can get an indulgence by chatting on the internet."

In its decree, the penitentiary said that getting an indulgence would hinge on the beneficiary having previously confessed and being "truly penitent and contrite". Praying while following events in Rio online would need to be carried out with "requisite devotion", it suggested.

Apart from the papal Twitter account, the Vatican has launched an online news portal supported by an app, a Facebook page, and it plans to use the online social networking site Pinterest.

However, a senior Vatican official warned Web surfing Catholics that following the Pope will not open the gates of heaven alone. People would still need to do some orthodox ways to obtain indulgences and forgiveness.

"You can't obtain indulgences like getting a coffee from a vending machine," Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, head of the pontifical council for social communication, told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

"What really counts is that the tweets the Pope sends from Brazil or the photos of the Catholic World Youth Day that go up on Pinterest produce authentic spiritual fruit in the hearts of everyone," said Celli.