Pope Leo XIV blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on June 10, 2025 [1].
The event marks a significant milestone in the completion of the basilica, as the pontiff inaugurated the tallest church tower in the world to promote unity and mercy among the faithful [2].
The Tower of Jesus Christ reaches a height of 172.5 meters [3]. This inauguration occurred during the fifth day of the pope's apostolic visit to Spain, which also included a visit to the Montserrat Abbey in Catalonia [2].
While some reports initially suggested the pope would not bless the tower, other sources confirmed he visited Barcelona specifically to inaugurate and bless the structure [4]. A spokesperson for the Government of Catalonia said the administration values the presence of the Catalan language during the events [5].
Salvador Illa said the experience was emotional [6]. The visit combined the architectural achievement of the basilica with a spiritual journey to one of Catalonia's most revered religious sites, the Montserrat Abbey [2].
“The pontiff inaugurated the tallest church tower in the world to promote unity and mercy.”
The completion and blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ represents the final stages of construction for the Sagrada Família, a project spanning over a century. By linking the inauguration with a visit to Montserrat, the Vatican is reinforcing its ties with Catalan religious identity and the regional government.
