Pope Blesses Gaudí's Sagrada Família Tower, Century in the Making

Pope Leo XIV visited Barcelona to bless the Tower of Jesus Christ at Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, a milestone in the 144-year construction and a centenary since Gaudí’s death, with the church touted as possibly the world’s tallest. The 18 towers symbolize biblical figures and the façades narrate Jesus’ life; Gaudí’s successors use digital modelling, 3D printing and robotics to continue his work. The Mass, attended by Spain’s King and Queen, included a visit to Gaudí’s tomb and concluded with the tower’s blessing, lights, fireworks and drone displays. The pope praised Gaudí as an architect inspired by faith and noted that the project remains a work in progress, while the Vatican advances Gaudí’s path toward sainthood.