Pope Leo Inaugurates the Last Tower of the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's Church Now the Tallest in the World
Pope Leo XIV inaugurated the last tower of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Wednesday, in a mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí. The church of the Catalan architect is now the tallest church in the world.
Kyodo News reported, citing Thursday, June 11, Pope Leo praised the Sagrada Familia as a masterpiece of "stone, color, and light". He called the building, which is not yet fully completed, a "sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain".
"We are all living stones of this building," Pope Leo said from the basilica's altar. Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia were present at the mass. A large choir filled the basilica with singing.
The Mass was the highlight of Pope Leo's week-long visit to Spain. This is the first visit by a pope in 15 years to a country that was once very Catholic, but now faces a tide of secularization.
This is the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. (Wikimedia Commons -Von Bernard Gagnon - Eigenes Werk)
Around 120,000 people crowded the streets around the Sagrada Familia. The roads were closed. The police were on high alert because the royal couple and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were present.
After the mass, residents stayed to watch Pope Leo inaugurate the Jesus Christ Tower. The 172.5-meter-tall tower makes the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world.
Speaking in Catalan and Spanish, Pope Leo blessed the tower and the ceramic cross glowing from outside the basilica. A choir of boys sang. Light illuminated the stained glass from within. Fireworks lit up the facade of the church.
Previously, Pope Leo visited Montserrat, a mountain complex outside Barcelona that is revered by many Catalonians. The place has an 11th-century Benedictine monastery, a 16th-century basilica, a statue of the Black Madonna, and a boy's choir that is said to be the oldest in Europe.
However, Montserrat is also facing serious problems. In recent years, the monastery has faced accusations of sexual violence by clergy. A Spanish ombudsman report in 2023 said there were 15 victims and three alleged perpetrators linked to the monastery.
"It is very painful because there are members of the church who made mistakes," said Pastor Cesario Escarda of Toledo, quoted by Kyodo News. According to Pastor Cesario, the pope wants to reveal the truth, apologize, listen to victims, and accompany them.
Sagrada Familia is a long project that has not been completed to date. Gaudí died at the age of 73, three days after being hit by a tram. He spent four decades designing and building the church as a summary of the Christian faith in stone.
The east and west facades of the basilica contain the stories of the Birth and Passion of Christ. The third facade, Glory, will be the main entrance if the building is completed.
According to Kyodo News, more than 5 million people visit the Sagrada Familia every year. The building has 18 spires. 12 for the apostles, four for the writers of the Gospels, one for the Virgin Mary, and the tallest for Jesus Christ.
The interior of the basilica is made like a rock forest. The columns tower like trees. The light from the stained glass changes according to the direction of the sun.
"Inside, the columns make you feel like you're in a forest," said Laura Rincón, a resident who was present outside the basilica, quoted by Kyodo News.
Historian Mònica Santín said Gaudí designed the Sagrada Familia with two main references: the Bible and nature. He said Gaudí's way of incorporating natural light was an invitation to understand the Christian mystery.