Pope Leo XIV has blessed the newly completed central tower of Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in Barcelona, marking a milestone in the basilica’s 144-year construction. The ceremony, attended by the Spanish royal family, the prime minister, and hundreds of bishops, saw the Jesus Christ tower—the tallest of 18—reach its full height of 172.5 metres, making it the world’s tallest church and Barcelona’s tallest building.
During a solemn Mass, the Pope spoke in Spanish and Catalan, describing the basilica as “a work in progress” that reminds us “the path that Christ has shown us is a journey that never ends”. He also warned against believing in “a Jesus that wants us to make war or murder innocents”. Before the service, he lit a candle and prayed at Gaudí’s tomb in the crypt.
Thousands of faithful lined the streets, with police estimating 70,000 people along the Pope’s route. Ramón and Marisa from L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, draped in Vatican flags, said the Pope reminded them of John Paul II. Rosmira Pasadis from Venezuela expressed hope the Pope would call for the release of political prisoners in her country. Security measures brought parts of the city to a standstill, with metro stations closed and only invited guests allowed near the basilica.
Wednesday also marked the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The architect, described as “a man with a medieval soul and an avant-garde mind”, dedicated his last 12 years to the Sagrada Família, aiming to create “a bible in stone” for everyone. However, completion of the Glory facade and the contentious grand stairway—which could require rehousing up to 10,000 people—remains a decade away. Debate continues over whether the current design reflects Gaudí’s original vision, with critics as far back as 1965 calling for work to stop.
