Pope Leo XIV gave a papal blessing to the newly completed central tower of Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família in Barcelona on Wednesday, placing the basilica’s final tower into public view after 144 years of construction. The ceremony drew members of the Spanish royal family, the prime minister and hundreds of bishops as the church reached a full height of 172.5 metres.
The tower for Jesus Christ made the basilica the world’s tallest church and Barcelona’s tallest building. Before the service, Leo lit a candle and prayed at Gaudí’s tomb in the basilica’s crypt, then later told worshippers, “this basilica is a work in progress, which reminds us that the path that Christ has shown us is a journey that never ends.”
Barcelona and the Spanish royal family
Police estimated 70,000 people would line the pope’s short route, turning the blessing into a citywide moment rather than a private church event. Among those waiting were Ramón, Marisa and Rosmira Pasadis, each bringing a different reason for showing up in Barcelona.
Ramón said, “Gaudí deserves to be a saint just for building it.” Marisa said, “We’re of the generation of John Paul II and Leo reminds us a lot of him” and added, “We’re very happy that he’s come here to Barcelona.” She also called the basilica, “It’s a divine construction.”
Gaudí’s basilica reaches full height
The completion of the Jesus Christ tower marks the point at which the Sagrada Família reaches 172.5 metres, a figure that places it above every other church and building in Barcelona. The basilica was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, but Wednesday’s blessing moved the project into a new phase by finishing the tower that had remained incomplete while the rest of the church stood in use.
Gaudí dedicated the last 12 years of his life to the project, and Wednesday also marked the centenary of his death. Gijs Van Hensbergen and James Douet were among the named experts tied to the story’s wider meaning, but the central fact remained the same: the building has finally reached the height planned for its main tower after more than a century of work.
Rosmira Pasadis and Venezuela
Rosmira Pasadis said, “This pope is very charismatic and he’s got a gift for communicating, especially with the young.” She added, “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.”
That expectation gave the blessing a second layer for some in the crowd, linking a Barcelona ceremony to a political appeal from a Venezuelan attendee. Leo’s own words after the solemn Mass were broader in tone: “We can never believe is a Jesus that wants us to make war or murder innocents.”
The basilica now stands at its full height with 18 towers, and the pope’s blessing gave the completed center tower an official place in a project that has outlasted generations of builders and worshippers. The people who lined the route in Barcelona saw the church’s latest milestone in person, while the next chapter belongs to how this finished central tower is received as part of the city’s skyline.
