The pope is going HD.

The Vatican on Tuesday unveiled a new $6 million high-definition mobile unit to let the Vatican broadcast the pope's Masses, audiences and trips in high definition.

The upgrade, paid for by the Knights of Columbus and Vatican television and offered at a discount by Sony, will let the Vatican keep up with the rapidly developing technology that is increasingly becoming the norm for broadcasters, documentary makers and others.

Pope Benedict XVI has suffered several communications gaffes during his five-year pontificate, but the Vatican has been taking steps to bring his message to YouTube, social networking sites and smartphones.