The Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, a symbol of the city, was illuminated with vibrant lights and fireworks as thousands gathered to celebrate the blessing of its central tower, completed 145 years after construction began. The event coincided with the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí's death, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city.
According to Yonhap News, the blessing ceremony for the Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest central tower of the cathedral, took place on June 10, 2026. Pope Leo XIV attended the event in person, consecrating the tower and its cross. During the ceremony, the Pope remarked, "This cross shines during the day reflecting sunlight and illuminates the city like a lighthouse overlooking the Mediterranean at night."
Construction of the cathedral began in 1882 and has continued for 145 years. The newly completed Tower of Jesus Christ stands at 172.5 meters, designed to be slightly shorter than the nearby Montjuïc Hill, reflecting Gaudí's philosophy that humanity should not surpass God. With this completion, Sagrada Familia has become the tallest church in the world, reshaping Barcelona's skyline.
Before the event began, crowds of citizens and tourists gathered around the cathedral in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Pope. At around 7 p.m., as the Pope appeared in a popemobile near the cathedral, the crowd erupted in cheers of "Viva Papa!" The Pope waved back and blessed a baby held by a parishioner.
The subsequent mass was attended by 4,000 worshippers inside the cathedral and an additional 4,000 seated outside. The ceremony unfolded in a solemn atmosphere, with colorful light filtering through stained glass illuminating the towering columns.
The highlight of the event was the blessing ceremony that followed the mass. As the Pope sprinkled holy water on the central tower, colorful lights were projected onto the cathedral's exterior and the tower, accompanied by a drone show depicting Gaudí's likeness and a fireworks display. Attendees waved light sticks in celebration, creating a magnificent display of light around the cathedral, according to Yonhap News.
On the same day, some citizens supporting Catalan independence distributed flags and conveyed political messages in the streets surrounding the cathedral, reflecting the region's distinct characteristics. Yonhap reported that tens of thousands of citizens and tourists witnessed the blessing ceremony both inside and outside the cathedral. A South Korean tourist named Lee Sang-in, who was visiting Barcelona, noted, "Some people nearby were even crying during the event. You could feel the sacred atmosphere, even without being religious."
Sagrada Familia is a major tourist attraction in Spain, drawing approximately 4.9 million visitors annually, including about 240,000 from South Korea. The completion of the central tower brings the cathedral closer to the final vision that Gaudí envisioned.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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