Pope Leo XIV is making an ongoing apostolic journey to Spain on June 6–12, 2026, to address the immigration crisis, inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Familia, and strengthen ties with the Spanish government and Spaniards. The Pope arrived at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport mid-day on June 9, where he will proceed to a prayer at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, followed by a prayer vigil in the evening at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.
In the evening, the Pope will go to the Sagrada Familia to inaugurate and bless the recently-completed Tower of Jesus Christ, main and tallest tower of the basilica with a height of 172.5 meters (566 feet), making the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world. After the Mass, Pope Leo XIV will go outside the Basilica to bless the Tower of Jesus Christ, marking the formal inauguration of the Sagrada Família’s central tower.
The trip will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí (June 10), the architect who designed the Sagrada Familia, and the Pope will inaugurate the new Tower of Jesus Christ, making the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world. The Pope will also lead a Solemn Mass there to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of the basilica’s main architect, Antoni Gaudí.
This week marks the centenary of Gaudí’s death, and Pope Leo XIV is set to arrive in Barcelona on Wednesday to celebrate this occasion by inaugurating the Tower of Jesus Christ, which stands at 172.5 meters, at the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family). With this completion, the Sagrada Familia has become the tallest church in the world.
Some 8,000 people will witness the historic blessing of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia on 10 June 2026, with 4,000 people seated inside the temple and another 4,000 following the liturgy from giant screens installed on Carrer de la Marina. Under the gaze of 1,600 accredited journalists from across the globe, the Pope will bless the Great Cross that now tops the 172.5-metre tower, officially making the Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez plans to attend the event, which marks a monumental chapter in the landmark’s history—one 144 years in the making. While the cathedral has been open to worshippers since 2010, the pope’s visit signals a monumental chapter in the landmark’s history.
This visit by Pope Leo, marking the third papal visit to the city, follows the Vatican’s recent advancement in the process of Gaudí’s canonization. The inauguration and blessing of the tower will take place during a solemn Mass presided over by the pope as part of a series of events honouring Gaudí’s artistic and spiritual legacy.
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