Inauguration of Sagrada Família’s Jesus Tower in Barcelona with Papal Blessing

A spectacular ceremony marked the inauguration of the Torre de Jesucristo, the tallest tower of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família. Drones projected an image of Antoni Gaudí and his quote “Primer l’amor, després la tècnica” while music and lighting illuminated the new 172.5‑metre cross, which is made of glass and ceramic tiles. Pope León XIV blessed the tower in a solemn mass, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death. The event highlighted the ongoing construction of the basilica, which will feature 18 towers once completed, and underscored the cultural and religious significance of the site for the city and visitors.

Commentators noted the symbolism of the papal visit and the light show, linking it to Barcelona’s Olympic legacy and the broader Spanish context, including a forthcoming stop in the Canary Islands to meet migrants. The inauguration was presented as both a religious milestone and a celebration of Gaudí’s architectural legacy.