Pope Leo XIV consecrates tallest tower of the Sagrada Família

Barcelona – 06/10/2026: On Wednesday evening, Pope Leo XIV consecrated the Jesus Christ Tower of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona. The tower, now at 172.5 meters the tallest church in the world, was designed by Antoni Gaudí and crowns the architectural masterpiece. The consecration took place as part of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

The solemn mass began at 7:30 pm and was celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. Numerous cardinals, bishops, and priests participated. The musical arrangement was performed by musicians and choirs from all over Catalonia. After the service, the Pope blessed the widely visible Jesus Christ Tower in front of the basilica. Also attending the ceremony were the Spanish royal couple, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Catalan Regional Government, Salvador Illa.

The Jesus Christ Tower is the central and tallest tower of the Sagrada Família and is located directly above the altar. It rests on a complex internal structure of branching columns and reflects Gaudí’s innovative architectural vision that avoids traditional Gothic flying buttresses. The tower is crowned with a white, illuminated cross tip, made of 15,000 mother-of-pearl tiles, featuring a central lamb figure and golden elements.

The consecration of the tower marks a significant moment in the history of the Sagrada Família. Gaudí designed the tower to be 0.5 meters lower than the Montjuïc hill to preserve harmony with the surroundings. With the completion of the tower, the Sagrada Família becomes the tallest church in the world, surpassing the Ulm Minster, which previously held this record.

The Sagrada Família provided 4,200 admission tickets for the mass, distributed to the faithful through local parishes. Those without tickets for the interior could follow the celebrations outdoors on large screens throughout Barcelona as well as via the official television broadcast and social media live streams.

The full completion of the Sagrada Família is planned for the year 2035. Until then, further work will be carried out on the interior of the Jesus Christ Tower, the Glory facade, and the Chapel of the Ascension. The basilica remains open to visitors during construction, offering a unique insight into Gaudí’s visionary work.

The consecration of the tallest tower of the Sagrada Família is a significant event for Barcelona and the Catholic world. It honors the lifetime achievements of Antoni Gaudí and emphasizes the spiritual and cultural importance of this unique building.