Pope Blesses Sagrada Família’s New 172.5‑m Tower on Gaudí’s Centennial

On 10 June 2026, the Pope (Leo XIV) blessed the newly completed Christ‑tower of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, raising it to 172.5 metres and making it the world’s tallest church tower, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster.

The ceremony coincided with the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death and was attended by Spanish royalty and thousands of visitors. Architects overseeing the work said the central tower is finished, but the rest of the basilica still faces a decade‑plus of construction, with full completion projected for the 2030s.

Construction of the basilica began in 1882; Gaudí assumed leadership in 1883 and left detailed plans that have guided successive generations. Funding comes largely from ticket sales and donations, and modern technologies such as prefabricated stone blocks are helping to accelerate the work.