This morning, Pope Francis received in audience King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, in his study adjacent to Paul VI hall at the Vatican.
The royal couple went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During an amicable meeting, all in Spanish, which was said to include much smiling and some joking, the Pontiff welcomed the king and queen. The king presented a delegation of some 20 persons.
The parties noted the good relations between the Holy See and Spain, which have been increasingly consolidated in the spirit of the 1979 Agreements. They acknowledged some current issues regarding the Church’s mission in society and the situation of the country.
Discussions of international conflicts, including Ukraine and the EU, took place, as well as of Spanish social issues, specifically unemployment.
