Key facts
- Pope Leo XIV blessed the Sagrada Família's new Tower of Jesus Christ.
- The 172.5-meter tower makes the basilica the world's tallest church.
- The ceremony coincided with the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death.
- Approximately 120,000 people attended the event.
- Full completion of the basilica is now expected in the next decade.
Pope Leo XIV blessed the new Tower of Jesus Christ at Barcelona's Sagrada Família basilica, an event attended by approximately 120,000 people. The ceremony marked the centenary of the death of the basilica's architect, Antoni Gaudí. The newly completed tower, standing at 172.5 meters, makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world. The inauguration featured a light and fireworks show, with King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also in attendance. While this milestone signifies significant progress, the basilica's full completion is now anticipated within the next decade.