Pope Blesses Sagrada Familia's Central Tower: "We Cannot Incite War"

On June 10 (local time), Pope Leo XIV blessed the central tower of the Sagrada Familia, the masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet, known as "God's Architect," to mark the 100th anniversary of his passing.

The Sagrada Familia, an unfinished basilica that began construction in 1882 and has been under development for 145 years, hosted the event to commemorate the centenary of Gaudí—who is currently a candidate for beatification—and the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ (172.5 meters), which makes the basilica the tallest church in the world.

This event served as the highlight of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain, which spans from June 6 to June 12.

While dedicating the Tower of Jesus Christ, the Pope described the basilica as "a prominent teaching of doctrine and an architectural masterpiece made of stone, color, and light," adding, "We are all living stones of this building."

In accordance with Gaudí's belief that divine providence resides in nature, the columns of the basilica are modeled after a forest, and every structure, both inside and out, is imbued with Catholic symbolism.

The basilica is filled with awe for God and nature, as well as religious symbolism.

Architects describe the basilica as a "Bible built in stone" on the outside and a "forest of wonder created by columns and light" on the inside.

In his homily, the Pope said, "The Sagrada Familia is more than just a monument; it is a work that continues to progress even today. It reminds us that the Christian life is always a journey, in that it is a task that God continues to lead forward."

After the homily, the Pope ascended an outdoor platform set up in front of the Nativity Façade, where he sprinkled holy water to bless the Tower of Jesus Christ.

The basilica is structured with three façades representing the birth, passion, and glory of Christ, with 18 towers rising above.

The Tower of Jesus Christ and the Tower of the Virgin Mary (138 meters) are surrounded by the towers of the four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each 135 meters).

Further out, there are 12 towers representing the Apostles, four on each of the three façades; the four towers on the "Façade of Glory," which is still under construction, remain unfinished.

The mass and blessing ceremony were attended by approximately 8,000 people, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Salvador Illa, President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, along with other high-ranking church and government officials and citizens. Tens of thousands of believers and tourists gathered in the surrounding streets.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.