Pope Leo XIV Blesses Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, Now the World’s Tallest Church After 143 Years of Construction

Barcelona celebrated a historic milestone as the Sagrada Família’s Tower of Jesus was blessed and officially completed, making Antoni Gaudí’s iconic basilica the tallest church in the world. The event marked more than 140 years since construction began and came during commemorations for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. Fireworks lit up the Barcelona skyline as crowds gathered around the landmark, underscoring the significance of a project that has defined the city for generations.

Construction on the Sagrada Família began in 1882, and Gaudí dedicated much of his later life to the basilica before his death in 1926. He knew he would never see the church finished, famously comparing the project’s long timeline to the idea that “my client is not in a hurry,” a reference to God. The basilica’s progress was slowed for decades by funding shortages, political upheaval, and the Spanish Civil War, during which many of Gaudí’s original plans and models were lost.

In recent years, however, advances in digital modeling and modern building techniques have accelerated work on the church. The newly completed Tower of Jesus rises to about 565 feet, or 172.5 meters, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster as the tallest church in the world. Crowned with a luminous cross, the tower is visible across much of Barcelona and stands as the central and most symbolic part of Gaudí’s religious vision.

The blessing of the tower by Pope Leo XIV added further weight to the occasion. City tourism officials highlighted the moment in a social media post, tying the blessing to the centenary of Gaudí’s passing and the basilica’s growing global significance. Their message reflected both pride in the achievement and anticipation for what remains unfinished.

Although the tower is complete, the Sagrada Família is still under construction. Work now continues on the controversial stairwell leading to the Glory Façade, which will become the basilica’s principal entrance. That section is among the most complex elements of Gaudí’s original design, and it remains one of the final major challenges facing builders.

Officials have previously said the main structure of the basilica could be finished within the next few years, though decorative details and surrounding work may continue beyond that point. Current estimates place substantial completion in the early 2030s.

For visitors, the milestone offers a rare chance to witness a landmark that is both a finished triumph and an ongoing work in progress. The Sagrada Família remains one of the world’s most visited attractions and one of Barcelona’s most recognizable symbols. More than a century after construction began, Gaudí’s masterpiece continues to evolve, blending architectural ambition, religious meaning, and civic pride. The tower’s completion is both a historic achievement and a preview of the final chapter still to come.