April 8, 2011. (Romereports.com) The Spanish royal couple Felipe and Letizia de Borbon will lead the official delegation of Spain for the beatification of John Paul II on May 1. The couple had personally known John Paul II, and visited him a few months after their wedding. It was one of the last official meetings of the pope.

The Prince and Princess of Asturias will participate in the beatification ceremony on Sunday May 1 and pray before the coffin of John Paul II. The King and Queen of Belgium have also confirmed they will attend the ceremony.

Felipe and Letizia will be attending on behalf of the Spanish King Juan Carlos, a great friend John Paul II, who was visibly moved at the funeral of the late pope.  

The royal couple also recently met with Benedict XVI upon his arrival in Santiago de Compostela last November.

Because the prince and princess are considered the "youth" of the Spanish royal family, they will have a special role during Benedict XVI's trip to Spain for World Youth Day 2011 next August.

JMB/AE
-GDP