Barcelona inaugurates Sagrada Família’s Jesus Tower with papal blessing and drone light show

The Sagrada Família in Barcelona unveiled its new Torre de Jesucristo, a 172.5‑metre spire that makes the basilica the world’s tallest church. The ceremony on 10 June 2026 featured a blessing by Pope Leon XIV and coincided with the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.

A coordinated drone display projected Gaudí’s silhouette and his phrase “Primer l’amor, després la tècnica” across the night sky, complemented by music, fireworks and thousands of lanterns. The tower’s cross, made of glass and ceramic, will illuminate the city by day and night. The event attracted large crowds who captured the spectacle on their phones, highlighting Barcelona’s blend of historic heritage and modern technology.