Pope Leo XIV blessed and inaugurated the newly completed tower of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on June 10, 2026 [1].
The completion of the tower marks a historic milestone for the basilica, officially establishing it as the tallest church in the world [1, 3].
The ceremony took place during the second day of the pope's visit to Barcelona [1]. Reports said around 120,000 people gathered to witness the opening of the structure [2].
The event drew a significant international crowd to the Spanish city to celebrate the architectural achievement. The new tower, which some reports identify as the Tower of Jesus Christ [2], serves as the crowning element of the long-term construction project.
Spanish royal family members were also in attendance for the event [6]. The inauguration represents the culmination of decades of work on the basilica, which has become one of the most recognized landmarks in Spain and a global symbol of faith and art.
While most sources confirm the ceremony occurred on June 10 [1], some reports dated June 11 said the event's timing coincided with the papal visit's schedule in the city [3].
“The Sagrada Família is now the tallest church in the world.”
The completion of the tower transforms the Sagrada Família from a perpetual construction site into a completed architectural record. By achieving the status of the world's tallest church, the basilica solidifies Barcelona's position as a primary hub for religious tourism and architectural study, while the papal presence underscores the site's enduring spiritual significance to the Catholic Church.
