Pope Leo XIV Blesses Sagrada Familia’s New Tower of Jesus Christ in Barcelona

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday and is scheduled to celebrate Mass on Wednesday at the basilica of the Sagrada Familia and bless the new Tower of Jesus Christ.

“It takes a few seconds to register before you enter this architectural icon, because even from the outside, the effect is striking, and something in your brain hesitates before it can process what your eyes are doing: looking up”

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Diario Las Américas reported that the pope’s plane landed at 12H45 (10H45 GMT) at the aeropuerto del Prat, and said the tower that was blessed made the basilica the church with the highest height in the world.

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The Washington Post described the Tower of Jesus Christ as the basilica’s central tower and said it is one of its 14 spires, “jutting 566 feet skyward” and crowned by a cubist cross.

The Local Spain said the mass in Barcelona will be held exactly 100 years since the death of Gaudi on June 10, 1926, and that after the mass the pope will bless the Jesus Christ tower completed in February.

The Washington Post said the Tower of Jesus Christ is the most significant recent addition to one of the world’s most famous unfinished buildings, and it framed the Wednesday blessing as part of Pope Leo XIV’s visit.

The Local Spain reported that the tower brought the basilica to its maximum height, 172.5 metres (566 feet), making the Sagrada Familia the world’s tallest church, and said full completion is expected in about a decade.

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조선일보 said the cathedral became the world’s tallest church building in February upon completing the “Tower of Jesus Christ” (172.5 meters), and described the 10th as the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death.

NBC News added that the central Tower of Jesus Christ finished in February stands at 566 feet high and is crowned with a gigantic five-story ceramic cross, while also noting that the basilica has been under construction for more than 140 years.

NBC News said Pope Leo XIV warned Spain’s lawmakers that military conflict and political polarization were pushing the world into “a profound spiritual and cultural crisis,” and it also quoted him opposing Europe’s ramped-up defense spending.

“El papa León XIV llegó este martes a Barcelona donde el miércoles celebrará una misa en la basílica de la Sagrada Familia y bendecirá la nueva torre que la convirtió en la iglesia más alta del mundo”

Diario Las Américas

Diario Las Américas said the pope had met victims of sexual abuse by the clergy in Madrid and had delivered a speech “sin precedentes” before the Spanish Parliament, as his seven-day visit continued.

Equinox Magazine reported that teachers’ protest Catalan teachers on strike for weeks to obtain a pay raise and classes with fewer students have planned demonstrations during the papal visit, and it quoted a banner on Plaça Espanya: “no miracles, no charity, workers’ rights and high-quality public service.”

El Periódico de Aragón said the Civil Guard launched a strict security and inspection protocol on the official aircraft that will transport Pope Leo XIV to Barcelona, with specialized agents “meticulously inspect every corner of the aircraft” to guarantee maximum protection.