Paul KeenanKing Felipe invites Pontiff to Spain
Pope Francis has welcomed Spain's king and queen to the Vatican during their first international engagement.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia travelled to Rome on June 30 to spend some 40 minutes with the Pontiff, with the king concluding ìwith the hope that we will see you in Spainî. Perhaps towards reinforcing the invitation, the royal couple gifted Pope Francis an edition of the complete works of St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross. March 28, 2015 is the 500th anniversary of St Teresaís birth, an auspicious date for the Pope to visit Spain.
King Felipe VI ascended to the Spanish throne on June 19, in place of his father, Juan Carlos I who abdicated for health reasons. King Juan Carlos himself visited Pope Francis with Queen Sofia on April 28.