Historic Blessing of Sagrada Família’s Central Tower
After 144 years of construction, Pope Leo XIV blessed the newly completed central tower of Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona. The ceremony was attended by members of the Spanish royal family, the prime minister, and hundreds of bishops.
The Jesus Christ tower, the tallest of the basilica’s 18 towers, now reaches 172.5 metres, making the Sagrada Família not only the tallest church in the world but also the tallest building in Barcelona. The basilica was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Prior to the blessing service on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV lit a candle and prayed at Gaudí’s tomb located in the basilica’s crypt.
Anticipation and Devotion Among the Faithful
Devotees began gathering along the pope’s route hours before his arrival. Ramón and Marisa from L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, both wrapped in Vatican flags, arrived early to experience the atmosphere.
“We’re of the generation of John Paul II and Leo reminds us a lot of him,” Marisa said. “We’re very happy that he’s come here to Barcelona.”
Ramón expressed his admiration for the basilica, while Marisa added,
“Gaudí deserves to be a saint just for building it. It’s a divine construction.”
Nearby, Rosmira Pasadis from Venezuela brought fruit and water to sustain her during the long wait.
“This pope is very charismatic and he’s got a gift for communicating, especially with the young,” she said. “His visit is important for me not just because I’m a Catholic but because we hope he will call for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela and for our freedom.”
Security and Public Response
Security measures included the closure of several metro stations and streets, effectively bringing the city to a near standstill. Only invited guests were permitted close to the Sagrada Família itself.
Souvenir shops in the vicinity reported steady sales of pope memorabilia alongside their usual Gaudí-themed items.
Police estimated that approximately 70,000 people lined the pope’s route, a turnout smaller than in Madrid and significantly less than the 650,000 who attended FC Barcelona’s victory parade after winning the Spanish league in May.
Gaudí’s Legacy and the Basilica’s Significance
Wednesday’s event coincided with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. Gaudí, described by his biographer Gijs Van Hensbergen as “a man with a medieval soul and an avant-garde mind,” dedicated the last 12 years of his life to the Sagrada Família.
Known as God’s architect, Gaudí aimed to create a church for all people, a “bible in stone,” incorporating depictions of local individuals and everyday scenes alongside traditional religious imagery.
Industrial historian James Douet explained,
“The Sagrada Família was conceived to bring Barcelona’s disaffected industrial working classes back to Catholic beliefs, to turn them away from the anarchist violence and anti-clerical hostility that had become characteristic of the city, and in some way to expiate or atone for the sinfulness of its inhabitants.”
Comprehensive Schedule of Pope Leo XIV in Barcelona
The blessing of the towers concluded Pope Leo XIV’s busy schedule in Barcelona, which included an audience with Catalan president Salvador Illa, a visit to a high-security prison, praying the rosary at the Montserrat monastery, and delivering a plea for Catalan unity in both Spanish and Catalan.
Ongoing Construction and Controversies
Although the basilica has reached its full height, the completion of the Glory facade at the main entrance is projected to take another decade. Additionally, plans for a grand stairway remain contentious, as its construction would require relocating between 1,000 and 10,000 residents depending on the chosen design.
The debate over the fidelity of the current structure to Gaudí’s original vision persists. In 1965, a group of artists and architects including Le Corbusier, Ricardo Bofill, and Joan Miró called for a halt to construction, criticizing the promoters for compromising Gaudí’s work.
Jordi Faulí, the architect responsible for completing the basilica, stated that Gaudí anticipated that only a portion of the temple would be finished during his lifetime. Despite the loss or destruction of some drawings, sufficient detailed plans remain to guide the completion of his vision.
Gaudí’s Path to Beatification and the Basilica’s Future
The question of Gaudí’s beatification continues. In the previous year, Pope Francis authorized a decree declaring Gaudí “venerable,” an early step toward canonization by the Catholic Church.
The Sagrada Família attracts approximately 5 million visitors annually, each paying a minimum of €26 (£22), generating significant revenue for the Church. Should Gaudí be beatified, the basilica could become a pilgrimage site in addition to a tourist destination.
Mateu Hernández, head of Visit Barcelona, emphasized the city’s secular identity, stating that it now possesses “a global icon equal to the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal or the Pyramids.”
Over the century and a half since construction began, Barcelona has maintained a reputation as a city inclined toward rebellion rather than religious devotion. The impact of Pope Leo XIV’s visit on the city’s spiritual direction remains to be seen.
