Pope León XIV will celebrate a Mass and bless the central tower of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on June 10, 2026 [2].
The ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the completion of the historic basilica and honors the 100-year anniversary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí [3].
The event is part of a broader papal visit to Spain occurring from June 6 to June 12, 2026 [4]. The Tower of Jesus, the basilica's tallest structure, will be officially inaugurated during the Mass [1].
Organizers expect approximately 8,000 people to attend the celebration [1]. This crowd will be split evenly, with 4,000 people gathered inside the basilica and 4,000 positioned outside [1].
The blessing serves as a tribute to Gaudí, who died in 1926 [3]. His vision for the temple has spanned over a century of construction, a process now reaching its final stages with the completion of the central spire [2].
In addition to the religious services in Barcelona, the Pope is scheduled to meet with migrants at a reception center during his stay in Spain [4].
“The ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the completion of the historic basilica”
The inauguration of the Tower of Jesus by the papacy signals the nearing completion of one of the world's most famous long-term construction projects. By linking the event to the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, the Vatican reinforces the spiritual and artistic legacy of the architect while highlighting the basilica's transition from a century-long construction site to a finished place of worship.
