ROME (AP) -- An Italian priest says he's organizing an online beauty pageant for nuns.

   It's an effort to give them more visibility in the Catholic church and to fight the stereotype that they're all old and ugly.

   The "Miss Sister 2008" contest will start in September on a blog run by the Reverend Antonio Rungi. Nuns will fill out a profile of their life and vocation as well as a photograph. It will be up to them whether to pose with the traditional veil or with their heads uncovered.

   Father Rungi says "being ugly is not a requirement for becoming a nun," and he adds, "external beauty is gift from God, and we mustn't hide it." Visitors to his site will have a month to vote.