Hours before the scheduled appearance, crowds lined the route Pope Leo XIV will follow to bless Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família basilica. The visit occurs 144 years after construction began. This evening the pope will dedicate the newly finished central tower, joined by Spanish royals, the prime minister and numerous bishops. Completion of the Jesus Christ tower brings the structure to its maximum height of 172.5 metres, making it both the world’s tallest church and Barcelona’s tallest building. The basilica was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. Early arrivals included Ramón and Marisa from L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, who expressed admiration for the pope and the building. Nearby, Rosmira Pasadis from Venezuela awaited the event while hoping for a papal appeal on behalf of Venezuelan political prisoners. Security arrangements have restricted movement in central Barcelona, though nearby shops report steady sales of commemorative items. Police expect around 70,000 spectators along the route. The date also marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The architect devoted his final years to the project, aiming to create an inclusive religious space. Work on the Glory facade remains about ten years from completion, and plans for a grand stairway continue to generate debate. Architect Jordi Faulí maintains that surviving drawings allow faithful continuation of Gaudí’s design. The question of Gaudí’s possible beatification persists after a recent Vatican decree declared him venerable. The basilica attracts roughly five million visitors annually.
