Pope Leon XIV visits Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, inspiring massive celebrations

Pope Leon XIV arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday, where he celebrated a high‑profile Mass inside the Sagrada Familia and blessed the newly completed Tower of Jesus. The event drew tens of thousands of faithful and observers, with estimates of over 100,000 people lining the streets to greet the pontiff.

The papal visit included a vigil at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, musical performances and a procession through Sant Cugat, where youth parishes and local choirs took part. A unique highlight was a fireworks display organized by the Valencian pyrotechnic firm Vulcano. The show, timed with the blessing, launched projectiles from 54 m to more than 150 m in height, illuminating the basilica’s cross and marking what the pyrotechnic director called “a historic milestone.”

The Pope also addressed the crowd in Catalan, underscoring cultural solidarity. Schools and community groups from across the region joined the celebrations, creating a moment described by participants as “exceptional” and uniting both believers and non‑believers in a historic civic occasion.