Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass atop the completed Sagrada Família, 100 years after Gaudí's death

A centenary Mass at the pinnacle

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass on Wednesday evening at the highest point of the Sagrada Família, the central Tower of Jesus Christ. The ceremony fell exactly 100 years after the death of the basilica's architect, Antoni Gaudí, who died on 10 June 1926. The event was the culmination of a week-long papal trip to Spain.

The world's tallest church

With the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, the basilica now stands at approximately 172.5 metres, crowned by a five-storey ceramic cross. It is the tallest of the 18 towers that adorn the Sagrada Família, making the modernist basilica the tallest church in the world. Construction began in 1882, 144 years ago, and Gaudí took over the project in 1883.

“We are all the living stones of this edifice.”

Dignitaries and faithful in attendance

King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez were among the thousands of worshippers inside the basilica. The Pope lit a candle at Gaudí's tomb before leading the liturgy. Gaudí, who spent 43 years working on the basilica, was struck by a tram in June 1926 at age 73 and died with the project far from finished.

Gaudí's path to sainthood

Known as the "architect of God" for his total devotion, Gaudí was officially placed on the path to canonisation last year when Pope Francis, Leo's predecessor, declared him "venerable" in recognition of his "heroic virtues." His radical modernist designs were mocked during his lifetime but later achieved worldwide recognition.

The papal itinerary

After Barcelona, the Pope is scheduled to visit the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday, continuing his week-long journey through Spain.