Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed tower of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on Wednesday during a celebratory Mass and light show.
The event marks a historic milestone for the basilica, which has now become the tallest church in the world. It also commemorates the 100 years [3] since the death of the architect Antoni Gaudí.
During the ceremony, the pontiff blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ, the structure's tallest spire. The celebration included a light show that illuminated the tower and its ceramic cross. Pope Leo XIV described the architectural achievement as "Stones, colours and light" [3].
Around 120,000 people [1] attended the gathering in Spain to witness the blessing of "The new Tower of Jesus Christ" [2], the pontiff said.
The completion of the tower comes after 144 years [1] of construction. The project has spanned multiple generations of architects and craftsmen, following the original vision set by Gaudí before his death a century ago [3].
The Mass was held on June 10, 2026 [4], coinciding with the centenary of the architect's death. The event combined religious tradition with a modern visual display to honor the legacy of the basilica's design.
“Stones, colours and light.”
The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ represents the near-finalization of one of the world's most famous long-term construction projects. By linking the blessing to the centenary of Antoni Gaudí, the Vatican reinforces the intersection of modern engineering and spiritual legacy, signaling the transition of the Sagrada Família from a perpetual construction site to a completed monument.
