Get All Access for $5/mo

Instagram CEO Meets With the Pope to Discuss the Power of Images Kevin Systrom presented a book of 10 images from the photo sharing platform to Pope Francis.

By Carly Okyle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Newsva | Instagram
Pope Francis meeting at the Vatican with the CEO and Co-founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom.

Sure, those #nofilter images of your tropical vacation are cool, but they can't beat a selfie with His Holiness at the Apostolic Palace.

Google's Eric Schmidt had his 15 minutes with the Holy See, and now Instagram's founder and CEO Kevin Systrom had the opportunity for some face time with Pope Francis when the two met Friday to discuss the power of images. Systrom illustrated his point by bringing a book of 10 images from the photo sharing platform, Time reports.The book included pictures from the earthquake in Nepal, the protests in Baltimore and the refugee crisis in the Middle East.

Related: Barack Obama Is the Most Popular World Leader on Instagram

Last year, Systrom told Time, "We believe you can see the world happening in real time through Instagram. And I think that's true whether it's Taylor Swift's 1989 tour … or an important moment like a protest overseas, or a march like "Je suis Charlie' in Paris … [At] the end of the day, there's no better way to consume what's happening in the world other than images and video."

Related: 5 Ways to Create More Compelling and Viral Instagram Content

Accompanying Systrom were two other Instagram executives: Charles Porch, who is in charge of the company's global creative programs, and David Swan, head of communications.

Founded in 2010 and acquired by Facebook in 2012, Instagram now has more than 400 million users. Though Pope Francis does not have an instagram account, he is on Twitter.
Carly Okyle

Editorial Assistant

Carly Okyle is an editorial assistant at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Starting a Business

How to Connect With Buyers and Get Your Products on Store Shelves, According to the Founder of Daring and Cadence

Ross MacKay, founder and original CEO of the plant-based food company Daring Foods and co-founder of performance beverage brand Cadence, shares the strategies that have landed his products in over 40,000 stores nationwide.