Facebook page for Pope John Paul II

A Facebook page dedicated to the forthcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II will be launched by the Vatican this week.

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

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