Pope Leo XIV arrived in Barcelona on June 10 to bless the newly completed central Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia Basilica, which at 566 feet is now the world's tallest church. The event, held on the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death, included a mass attended by 8,000 people and Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez, and was live-streamed on TikTok and the basilica's website. The pope's visit follows a stop in Madrid, where he addressed parliament and held an open-air mass for 1.5 million people.
This event matters because it highlights the ongoing significance of Gaudí's masterpiece as both a religious and architectural landmark, while also advancing the Vatican's consideration of Gaudí for sainthood—Pope Francis recognized his 'heroic virtues' in 2025, the second step toward canonization. The blessing underscores the intersection of art, faith, and global attention, though the basilica remains unfinished, with construction expected to continue for another decade amid local controversy over planned demolitions for a grand entrance.