Madrid, Spain, Jan 14, 2011 / 12:59 pm
The general coordinator of World Youth Day 2011 announced Jan 14 that John Paul II has been named patron of the upcoming youth event in Madrid, Spain.
The 2011 World Youth Day will be celebrated August 16-21.
The event's general coordinator, Auxiliary Bishop Cesar Franco of Madrid made the announcement shortly after Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, president of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, disclosed that John Paul II will be beatified on May 1.
Cardinal Rylko announced the beatification to the more than 400 representatives attending the International Meeting of Delegates meeting to prepare for World Youth Day. The representatives broke out in prolonged applause upon hearing the news.