Pope Leo XIV to Bless Sagrada Familia’s New Central Tower in Barcelona

On June 10, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Barcelona, Spain, to bless the recently completed central tower of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. The tower, topped by a white cross, brings the structure to a height of 172.5 metres (566 feet), making it the world’s tallest church. The visit is framed by the papal motto “Lift up your eyes,” inviting pilgrims and tourists to look upward at the unfinished masterpiece.

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Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect who died in 1926, designed the Sagrada Familia as a Catholic basilica whose every element carries sacred meaning. Construction has continued for a century, with the central tower now the latest major milestone. The basilica’s silhouette includes a dozen cream-colored towers and spires that rise above Barcelona’s skyline, a design that Gaudí intended to echo the surrounding Mediterranean mountains.

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The interior is illuminated by towering stained-glass windows that cast shifting colors across the nave. Multilingual weekend Masses are held in the main nave, while regular services take place in the crypt. According to the church, nearly five million people visited the basilica in 2025, with Americans, Spaniards and Chinese comprising the three largest visitor groups.

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• Pope Leo XIV – Head of the Roman Catholic Church, leading the June 2026 blessing ceremony.

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• Antoni Gaudí – Architect whose design guides the ongoing construction.

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• The Catholic Church – Oversees liturgical functions and the papal visit.

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• Sagrada Familia Foundation – Manages the basilica’s construction and visitor services (implied by the church’s reporting of visitor numbers).

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The Vatican’s communications for the visit emphasize the theme, encouraging the faithful to lift up their eyes and contemplate the basilica’s verticality and light. The announcement notes that the blessing will occur on the newly finished central tower, highlighting its status as the tallest church structure worldwide. The messaging also referenced Gaudí’s Catholic faith, noting that the basilica’s design infuses sacred meaning and that its completion transcends religion and culture.

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• “Lift up your eyes.” — Vatican messaging for Pope Leo XIV’s visit

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• “God’s architect.” — Description of Gaudí’s influence on the basilica’s design

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Following the June 10 blessing, the basilica will continue its long-term construction plan. The papal ceremony will be part of the scheduled visit, underscoring the Sagrada Familia’s role as both a religious site and a global tourist landmark.

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