Sagrada Família becomes world's tallest church

Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Família Basilica placed the bottom part of the cross that will crown the Tower of Jesus Christ on Thursday. The milestone means that the building is now the tallest church in the world.

It also marks the start of the final construction phase of the tallest tower in the building. The Tower of Jesus Christ will be topped with an accessible viewpoint offering a 180-degree view of the Catalan capital.

The piece placed on Thursday is the cross stem, which measures 7.25 meters in height and weighs 24 tonnes.

The Barcelona basilica now surpasses the titleholder, Germany's Ulm Minster, measuring 161.53 m, just below Sagrada Família's 162.91 meters.

Construction workers received the first part of the stem in July, divided into four pieces. These were placed at a construction site 54 meters above ground level on top of the Basilica's nave so they could be arranged.

The exterior is covered in white ceramic and glass, which are materials that offer high levels of light and resistance to the weather.

Once completed, the cross will measure 17 meters in height, the same as a five-story building, and 13.5 meters in width.

After installing the arms and the highest point of the cross, Sagrada Família will measure 172.5 meters tall. It is also the tallest building in Barcelona's urban area, after surpassing Mapfre and Hotel Arts towers in September, measuring 154 meters.

The tower is expected to be completed in June 2026, the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death.

Throughout the year, Sagrada Família has scheduled several activities to honor the mastermind behind the project. Catalan president Salvador Illa met with Pope Leo XIV and invited him to the inauguration of the tower.