Pope Presides Over Sagrada Familia's Tallest Tower Inauguration, Delivers Peace Message

Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Familia has reached a new milestone with the inauguration of its tallest tower, the Tower of Jesus Christ. The ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, was presided over by Pope Leo and marked the completion of a structure that now makes the basilica the world's tallest church at 172 meters.

The event coincided with the centenary of the death of the basilica's visionary architect, Antoni Gaudí. A striking ceramic cross now crowns the new tower, becoming a prominent new feature of the Barcelona landmark. The inauguration was attended by Spain's King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, alongside hundreds of bishops and tens of thousands of faithful who filled the streets of the Catalan capital.

Before the main ceremony, Pope Leo visited Gaudí's tomb, paying homage to the architect's enduring legacy. The Pope's address from within the Sagrada Familia Basilica focused on a message of peace. He stated that Christians cannot claim to be Christian if they support war, a sentiment widely interpreted as an indirect critique of the policies of the then-U.S. President Donald Trump.

"We cannot believe in Christ and promote war," the Pope declared, moving the assembled crowd. The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ represents a significant moment for the Sagrada Familia, a project that has been under construction for over a century, embodying Gaudí's unique architectural and spiritual vision.

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We cannot believe in Christ and promote war.