Pope blesses and inaugurates Tower of Jesus of Sagrada Família after mass in basilica

Pope Leo XIV has blessed and inaugurated the Tower of Jesus of the Sagrada Família after delivering mass at the famous basilica.

Some 120,000 people, according to the Barcelona local police, lined the streets to watch the Pope's arrival at the Gaudí basilica in the Popemobile.

June 10 marks exactly 100 years since the death of the Antoni Gaudí, and a century on, the Pope visited Barcelona to bless and inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ, the largest tower of the legendary architect's masterpiece.

Upon arrival at the basilica, the pontiff was welcomed by the Spanish King and Queen, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Catalan president Salvador Illa, Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni, among other dignitaries.

The Holy Father was then given an explanation of the architectural mastery of the Tower of Jesus Christ by 13-year-old blind girl Valentina. Afterwards, Leo XIV gifted her rosary beads.  

He was then given a tour of the inside of the basilica by Barcelona archbishop Joan Josep Omella.

After the mass, the tower of Jesus Christ was inaugurated with a grand spectacle including music, drone show, and fireworks. 

A plaque commemorating the Pope’s inauguration of the tower on Gaudí’s 100th anniversary was also unveiled on the exterior walls of the basilica. 

Mass

Pope Leo XIV affirmed that the Sagrada Família is a “sign of unity and concord” and called the cross that sits atop the tower of Jesus Christ as “a lighthouse open to the Mediterranean.”

During the mass he delivered in the basilica, the pontiff said that the temple “opens its doors as if they were arms” to welcome the faithful and claimed the spiritual dimension of Gaudí’s work.

The Holy Father also made a call against violence and exclusion: “We cannot believe in Jesus and promote war,” “kill the innocent,” and “abandon those who suffer, those who cry, those who flee from misery.”

On the 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, the pontiff delivered a sermon in part in Catalan and part in Spanish, in a packed Sagrada Família.

“The city of Barcelona and all of Catalonia” had gathered in the temple, Leo XIV said.

Afterwards, the Pope blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest tower and the one most recently finished of the Gaudí basilica.

According to him, the Sagrada Família is “much more than a monument” and continues to be “a work under construction.”

In the final section of the sermon, the Pope acclaimed legendary architect Antoni Gaudí. According to Leo XIV, Gaudí conceived the Sagrada Família with the desire to “narrate the mysteries of the life of the Lord” and propose a “spiritual pilgrimage” towards Christ “born, died, and risen.”

Some 4,000 people followed the mass inside the basilica and many others watched on from screens just outside it too. There were also various screens set up in locations across the city to follow the event.

Thousands take to streets

Many people started gathering to be in situ to catch a glimpse of the Holy Father from before noon. 

The Catalan government shut down access to the street for the Popemobile route to the Sagrada Família Wednesday morning. A few people found their spots on the fence quickly after. 

Natalia Herrera is Peruvian but lives in Barcelona along with the rest of her group. She, along with 6 others, have been waiting along Carrer del Rosselló since 10 am. 

"We have been here since 10 a.m. to see Pope Leo XIV, who gave everything and dedicated his life to Peru. More than 20 years in the north of Peru and for that we want to thank him," said Herrera. 

Herrera is accompanied by Lorena Alcántara, another Peruvian in Catalonia who is excited to see the Pope. 

Though Alcántara has a special connection to Pope Leo XIV; she knew him as Father Roberto in Peru. 

"We are very happy to see the pope, especially me and my community and my parish Our Lady of Monserrate in Trujillo. He gave me my first communion when I was about nine years old," said Alcántara. 

The group has claimed their location with Peruvian flags, and those without flags are wearing red or white shirts. They brought food and take turns in their location so others can use the restroom or get anything they need without fear of their prime location being taken before 6:30 pm. 

But not everyone came with as much stuff as Herrera and her group. Blanca Canals and her son got to Carrer Rosselló early as well, but not with nearly as many things. 

"We haven't brought anything material," said Canals. 

"We bring empty hands, but very full hearts."  

Another group with an early arrival, Beatriz Andrés and her daughter got there at 10:30 am to secure their spot in the front row. 

"We missed the Olympic stadium yesterday. They ran out of tickets, so we got up today, very excited, and came here. My husband and son are arriving now, but we already have a place in the front row, which is the important thing," said Andrés. 

Even though the Pope is in town, it is a normal day in Barcelona, with school, work and everyday life continuing for most. 

"We have prepared for today, which means she has not gone to school, and I asked for a day off, and that's it," said Andrés. 

The Pope will arrive in the Popemobile Wednesday at 6:30 pm on Carrer del Rosselló, between Passeig de Gràcia and Carrer Sardenya.