The Sagrada Familia in Spain is more than just a cathedral; it represents a century of prayers offered to God and serves as a stone gospel. At the pinnacle of this prayer, the Pope will stand.
Pope Leo XIV will officiate a mass for the 'Tower of Jesus Christ' on June 10, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. After 144 years of construction that began in 1882, the church has finally completed its symbolic centerpiece this year. In February, a cross was placed atop the 'Tower of Jesus Christ,' making it the tallest church building in the world at 172.5 meters.
Many people associate the year 2026 with the completion of the Sagrada Familia because the church had aimed to finish its main structures by the centenary of Gaudí's death. With the completion of the 'Tower of Jesus Christ' and the central spire this year, the church has reached a significant stage of external completion. This has led to a strong perception among the media, tourism industry, and the public that the church will be completed in 2026.
However, work remains on the 'Glory Facade,' which serves as the southern entrance, and four additional spires. This area represents the final judgment of Jesus and the glory of heaven, and the expected final completion date is now projected around 2034.
The significance of this mass lies in the completion of the most important vertical axis of the building. The 'Tower of Jesus Christ' is not merely a spire; it symbolizes the connection between the human world and the divine. It is surrounded by towers dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the four Evangelists, with an inscription in Latin on the tower that reads, 'You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, You alone are the Most High.'
Gaudí dedicated the last 43 years of his life to this cathedral, even setting up a workshop inside the building where he lived and worked. He remained on the construction site until his last moments. Ironically, after being struck by a tram, he was mistaken for a homeless person and taken to a poor hospital. Despite suggestions to transfer him to a better facility, he reportedly refused, saying, "My place is among the poor."
His faith is reflected in his architectural philosophy. Gaudí designed the height of the cathedral to be slightly lower than that of Montjuïc Hill in Barcelona, believing that human creations should not surpass God's nature.
As a result, the Sagrada Familia evokes a unique feeling upon first sight. Rather than the cold, imposing nature typical of Gothic cathedrals, it offers a sense of life, akin to entering a living forest. The interior columns branch out like tree trunks, and the ceiling spreads like the branches of a forest. The stained glass windows are arranged with blue hues on the east and red hues on the west, symbolizing the birth and passion of Jesus. In this way, the gospel is expressed through stone, light, and nature.
Previous popes have also had a deep connection with this cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited in 1982, and Pope Benedict XVI officiated a mass in 2010, elevating the church to the status of a minor basilica. Last year, Pope Francis declared Gaudí a 'Blessed.' There is speculation within the Spanish Catholic community that Pope Leo XIV may elevate Gaudí to the status of 'Venerable' during this visit.
The construction of the Sagrada Familia is not yet complete. However, perhaps what matters most is not whether it is finished. Gaudí once said, "My client (God) is not in a hurry."
Amidst the ongoing construction that has lasted 144 years, humanity may be learning just how impatient it truly is.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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