Pope Leo XIV hails Sagrada Familia 'architectural masterpiece' at spire inauguration

Pope Leo XIV lauded Barcelona's Sagrada Familia Basilica as a "masterpiece of stones, colours and light" during a mass to inaugurate its final spire. The ceremony also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí.

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We are all the living stones of this edifice.

The Pope described Gaudí's unfinished basilica, a globally recognized monument, as a "sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain." He likened the ongoing construction to the Christian journey of finding God. This visit marks the third papal visit to the basilica and the first in 15 years, underscoring the significance of the site and the Pope's connection to it.

An estimated 120,000 people lined the streets for the event, which saw the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ, now making the Sagrada Familia the world's tallest church. The Pope blessed the illuminated tower and its cross, followed by a mass inside the basilica attended by clergy, Spanish King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia.

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sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain

The service was a highlight of the Pope's week-long visit to Spain, a country experiencing secularizing trends but still home to many faithful Catholics. The visit also comes a year after the Vatican approved a step towards sainthood for Gaudí, recognizing his visionary work.

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architectural masterpiece