Pope Leo XIV to Bless Sagrada Familia's New Tower on June 10 as Church Draws 5 Million
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 3
Pope Leo XIV to Bless Sagrada Familia's New Tower on June 10 as Church Draws 5 Million
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 3
Summary
June 10 will mark Pope Leo XIV’s blessing of Sagrada Familia’s newly completed central tower in Barcelona, a milestone that has made Gaudí’s basilica the world’s tallest church.
The tower, topped by a white cross, crowns the still-unfinished landmark more than a century after Antoni Gaudí’s death and fits the pope’s visit motto, “Lift up your eyes.”
Nearly 5 million people visited the basilica in 2025, with Americans, Spaniards and Chinese the three largest visitor groups, underscoring its pull beyond Catholic worship.
Inside, regular services continue in the crypt and multilingual weekend Masses fill the main nave, while the church remains both a functioning basilica and one of Barcelona’s biggest tourist draws.