Pope Leo XIV blesses Sagrada Familia's new Jesus Tower in Barcelona

Pope Leo XIV visited Barcelona on 10 June 2026, the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death, to bless the newly completed 172.5‑metre Tower of Jesus at the Sagrada Familia. The ceremony made the basilica the tallest Christian church in the world. A mass for about 4,000 faithful was celebrated, followed by the papal blessing of the tower’s cross, which is covered with 15,000 ceramic pieces and illuminated in orange light. Drones flew over the skyline drawing Gaudí’s face, while Spanish royalty and President Pedro Sánchez attended the event.

The completion of the tower marks the culmination of a construction that began in 1882 and has lasted 142 years, fulfilling a key element of Gaudí’s original vision. The event has drawn global attention, boosting cultural tourism to Barcelona. Japanese media also highlighted the occasion, noting the long‑standing link between Japan and the Sagrada Familia through sculptor Sotoo Etsuro and past Japanese documentaries on Gaudí.