Pope Leo XIV officially blessed the highest spire of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, during a mass on Wednesday. With the newest spire, the church measures 172.5 meters and is the tallest church in the world.
Source: ANP
The Tower of Jesus Christ is the highest of the eighteen towers of the Sagrada Família. It has been 144 years since the construction of the basilica began. The builder of the world-famous church, Antoni Gaudí, died exactly one hundred years ago. He died after being hit by a tram.
The Spanish architect was put forward by the previous Pope Francis for possible canonization. “There is a miracle that is currently being investigated and we hope that he will be beatified this year,” the president of the Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí told NBC News.
Giant cross
“We are all the living stones of this building,” Leo said from the altar. The mass could also be followed via a livestream and was also attended by the Spanish royal family.
The last cranes and scaffolding are now being removed from around the tower, which was completed in February. This was done with the placement of a huge cross on top of the spire. The cross is 17 meters high, 13 meters long and weighs almost 100 tons.
