Pope celebrates Mass at Sagrada Família in Barcelona

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at the Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona on Wednesday, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí. Upon his arrival at the renowned church, the Pope was greeted by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

He proceeded to bless the world's tallest church tower, the 172.5-meter Christ Tower. Earlier, large crowds lined the Pope's route in his Popemobile as he slowly approached the basilica. In the crypt of the Sagrada Família, Pope Leo prayed at the tomb of Gaudí, who died on June 10, 1926, after being hit by a tram while on his way to church.

Gaudí, a devout Catholic, was recognized as "venerable servant of God" by the Vatican in April 2025, a step toward beatification. A Vatican commission is currently examining a child's healing as a potential miracle, a necessary prerequisite for beatification.

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Jesus shows us the path of mercy, reconciliation, truth, and goodness. At the same time, he unmasks the violence that can hide in our words and attitudes: humiliating criticism, destructive condemnation, and divisive aggressiveness.

Before visiting the Sagrada Família, Pope Leo visited the mountain monastery of Montserrat, a centuries-old center of Catalan piety and culture, and a prison. At Montserrat, he prayed the Rosary in Catalan with the monks. In an address, the Pope entrusted his papacy and the church's mission to the "Black Madonna" of Montserrat, venerated as "La Moreneta."

"Jesus shows us the path of mercy, reconciliation, truth, and goodness. At the same time, he unmasks the violence that can hide in our words and attitudes: humiliating criticism, destructive condemnation, and divisive aggressiveness," Pope Leo stated.

In his address to 80 inmates at the prison, the Pope offered encouragement, saying, "Every human being is worthy."

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Every human being is worthy.