Pope blesses Barcelona’s Gaudi-designed Sagrada Família, a towering masterpiece

Pope Leo XIV recently visited Barcelona to bless the newly completed central tower of Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família basilica on June 10, 2026. This significant event saw the towering masterpiece reach its full height of 172.5 meters (566 feet) with the installation of the Jesus Christ tower, officially making it the world's tallest church. The blessing marked a major milestone in the ongoing construction of the iconic structure.

The papal visit coincided with the 100th anniversary of the death of the Sagrada Família's visionary architect, Antoni Gaudí. While Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the new tower, the basilica itself was previously consecrated for religious worship and designated a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI in November 2010.