Pope Leon XIV blessed the highest tower of the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona on Wednesday night [1].
The event marks the completion of the final tower, officially establishing the basilica as the tallest church in the world [2]. This milestone honors the centenary of the building's architect, Antoni Gaudí [3].
The ceremony took place on June 9, 2026 [1]. The tower, referred to as the Torre de Jesucristo or Torre de Jesús [2, 3], reaches a height of 172.5 meters [2]. This specific elevation allows the structure to surpass all other religious buildings globally in height [2].
Architects said that the scale of the project was intended to be divine rather than human [4]. The blessing by the pontiff serves as the formal inauguration of the tower, bringing the long-term construction project closer to its final vision.
Local reports said that the ceremony was a significant cultural and religious moment for Spain [1]. The tower's completion is the result of decades of work following Gaudí's original designs, which blended nature with gothic, and art nouveau forms.
"With its 172.5 meters, it converts the masterpiece of Antoni Gaudí into the tallest temple in the world," a report said [2].
“The completion of the final tower makes the basilica the tallest church in the world.”
The completion of the Torre de Jesucristo represents the culmination of a construction process spanning over a century. By achieving the status of the world's tallest church, the Sagrada Família solidifies its position as a global architectural landmark and a primary center for religious tourism in Europe, while coinciding with the anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's influence on modern architecture.
