Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed Torre de Jesús at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona on June 10, 2026 [1, 5].
The ceremony marks the final stage of the basilica's remodelations and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí [1, 2].
The papal mass drew 8,000 faithful [1], with 4,000 attending inside the basilica and 4,000 gathered outside [1]. The Torre de Jesús reaches a height of 172.5 meters [3]. Following the completion of the tower in October 2025, the Sagrada Família became the tallest Catholic church in the world [4].
Local and international interest in the site has surged following the installation of the tower's cross. Mónica Martínez of La Vanguardia said the culmination of the Torre de Jesús and the placement of the cross have generated a renewed interest, both locally and internationally [1].
While the primary towers are now complete, administrative work continues regarding the site's remaining elements. Esteve Camps said the construction team is very close to reaching an agreement with the City Council regarding the Glory facade [1].
The event serves as a spiritual and architectural milestone for the city of Barcelona. The blessing was the centerpiece of a wider celebration of Gaudí's enduring legacy—a project that spanned over a century of construction and design [1, 2].
“The Sagrada Família became the tallest Catholic church in the world.”
The completion of the Torre de Jesús represents the resolution of a century-long architectural ambition. By establishing the Sagrada Família as the tallest Catholic temple, the project secures its place as a global landmark of religious architecture while transitioning from a perpetual construction site to a completed monument during the centenary of its creator.
