January 16, 2011. John Paul II, the creator of the World Youth Days, has been named the patron for World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid. It was announced by the auxiliary bishop of Madrid, César Franco, after hearing the news of the coming beatification of Karol Wojtyla.

John Paul II joins the list of patrons for Madrid 2011, among which are St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis Xavier and St. Juan de la Cruz. Which makes him the first non-Spanish patron for the event.

Since the first World Youth Day in Rome, John Paul II chaired over nine more international meetings of young people from around the world.

Buenos Aires, Argentina, Santiago de Compostela, Czestochowa (Poland), Denver, Manila, Paris, Rome and Toronto all served as host to Pope John Paul II.

CB/AE