Pope Leo XIV blessed the new Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona's Sagrada Família on June 10, 2026 [1].
The inauguration establishes the basilica as the tallest church in the world, marking a symbolic milestone in the completion of Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. The event coincided with the centenary of the architect's death and occurred during the Pope's week-long tour of Spain [2].
Accompanied by King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the Pope held a Mass to commemorate the achievement [3]. The ceremony drew a crowd of around 120,000 people [4]. The new spire reaches a height of 172.5 meters [1].
"The new Tower of Jesus Christ, rising to 172.5 meters, makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world," Pope Leo XIV said [5].
The event served as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Gaudí, whose vision for the basilica has spanned over a century of construction. The Pope highlighted the artistic and spiritual significance of the structure during the proceedings.
"It is a masterpiece of stones, colors, and light," the Pope said [6].
The Tower of Jesus Christ is the central and tallest of the basilica's spires. Its completion represents one of the final major architectural phases of the project, bringing the structure closer to its intended final form as envisioned by Gaudí before he died 100 years ago [2].
“The new Tower of Jesus Christ, rising to 172.5 meters, makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world.”
The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ transforms the Sagrada Família from a long-term construction site into a record-breaking architectural landmark. By aligning the inauguration with the centenary of Gaudí's death and a papal visit, the Vatican and the Spanish government have elevated the project's status from a local religious site to a global symbol of cultural and spiritual endurance.
