In June, Pope Leo XIV will visit Barcelona to bless the newly completed central tower of the Sagrada Familia. This landmark, originally designed by Antoni Gaudí, now holds the title of the world’s tallest church due to its new white cross atop the central tower.
Visitors to the Sagrada Familia are already accustomed to looking upwards as the cream-colored towers and spires pierce the sky. The basilica, still under construction more than a century after Gaudí’s death, is a tribute to his intricate design and vision.
Inside, visitors are greeted by light filtered through stained-glass windows, creating a vibrant display of colors. Gaudí infused his Catholic faith into every detail, but the basilica’s appeal goes beyond religious devotion, attracting nearly 5 million visitors in 2025 from various nationalities, including Americans, Spaniards, and Chinese.
The church hosts regular services in the crypt and offers multilingual Masses on weekends. First-time visitors, however, often find themselves absorbed by the basilica’s majestic interiors, mesmerized by Gaudí’s inspired design.
Emphasizing its grandeur, the Sagrada Familia’s Tower of Jesus Christ stretches 172.5 meters high, topped by the cross. As preparations for the pope’s visit continue, the unfinished masterpiece remains a symbol of spiritual and architectural wonder.