Pope Francis shares 1st photo on new Instagram account

This undated photo by Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano showing Pope Francis praying was the first image to appear on the pontiff's Instagram account that was launched Saturday, March 19, 2016. (L'Osservatore Romano/ANSA via AP)

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis is expanding his presence on social media with an Instagram account.

The pontiff, who has more than 26 million followers on Twitter, made his debut Saturday on Instagram, a photo-sharing site.

On the eve of the launch, a Vatican communications official, Monsignor Dario Vigano, told Vatican Radio that the pope believes images can reveal many things. Vigano also said that the Instagram account will allow people to share the pope's "gestures of tenderness and mercy."

The pope's account will use the name "@Franciscus," his name in Latin.