Pope Léon XIV celebrated a mass Wednesday at the Sagrada Família to mark the inauguration of the basilica's 18th tower [1], [3].
The event signals the near-completion of the architectural landmark after 144 years of construction [1]. By finishing the final tower, the Barcelona basilica has officially become the tallest church in the world [1], [4].
The celebration on June 10, 2026, coincides with the centenary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí [2], [3]. Gaudí's original vision for the temple was interrupted by his death 100 years ago, leaving the project to be finished by successive generations of architects [2], [5].
Despite the global prestige of the site, the project has faced decades of debate regarding its aesthetic and scale. Pope Léon XIV said the structure was "disproportionnée, kitsch" [4]. This critique mirrors long-standing local polemics, though reports suggest the population has finally adopted the monument as its own [4].
The construction process was delayed by several historical crises, including wars and a pandemic [5]. The completion of the 18th tower [4] represents the culmination of a century-long effort to realize Gaudí's complex geometric designs.
For many, the site remained a symbol of an unfinished dream. One observer said that for them, it was "surtout l'église jamais finie" [6]. The current inauguration attempts to close that chapter of architectural uncertainty.
“the Sagrada Família has officially become the tallest church in the world”
The completion of the Sagrada Família's 18th tower resolves one of the longest-running construction projects in modern history. By aligning the final architectural phase with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí's death, the Catholic Church and the city of Barcelona are transitioning the site from an active construction zone into a finished monument of global religious and cultural heritage.
