Vatican to unveil Facebook page for pope John Paul II this week

The Vatican will unveil a Facebook page dedicated to the forthcoming beatification of pope John Paul II this week.

The pontiff, who died in 2005, will be beatified on May 1 and the page on the social-networking site will link to video highlights of his 27-year papacy, The Independent reports.

"What we found is that Facebook doesn't just share information, it creates community. People begin talking to each other and sharing ideas," monsignor Paul Tighe, the number two in the Vatican's social communications office, said.