Pope Leo XIV Blesses Sagrada Familia’s New Jesus Christ Tower and Criticizes Europe’s Defense Spending

Pope Leo XIV will hold Mass at Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia on Wednesday and offer a papal blessing to the basilica’s central Tower of Jesus Christ. The 566-foot tower, finished in February, is now the tallest church spire in the world and is topped by a five-story ceramic cross weighing 24 tons. The Mass serves as the capstone of the pope’s weeklong visit to Spain.

It is his first significant European trip since his election last year and the first papal visit to Spain in 15 years. Work on the basilica has continued for more than 140 years. Planners aim to finish construction by 2034.

The pope’s appearance coincides with the centenary of the death of Antoni Gaudí, who took over the project in 1883 and was killed by a tram on June 10, 1926. 2 million people attended an outdoor Mass led by the pope in Madrid. ” He also criticized Europe’s increased defense spending and urged governments to redirect funds toward peacemaking and aid for the needy.

“Weapons can impose a temporary silence, but they can never build an authentic and lasting peace,” he said. The pope spoke almost entirely in Spanish during events in Madrid and is expected to use some Catalan during his time in Barcelona. Foreign visitors, who account for 90 percent of admissions, fund ongoing construction; more Americans visit the basilica than Spaniards.

Mauricio Cortés, the Mexican architect who supervised installation of the 24-ton cross, said the design incorporates both Gaudí’s original intent and modern materials. “Gaudí wanted the cross to resemble a crystal. The choice of materials includes pyramids in ceramic and pyramids in polished glass,” Cortés said.

In one of his final acts before his death in May 2025, Pope Francis declared Gaudí a “venerable” Christian in recognition of his “heroic virtues,” the first formal step toward possible sainthood. The final portion of Pope Leo XIV’s trip will take him to Spain’s Canary Islands, where he will meet African migrants who crossed by sea.

More than 3,000 people died attempting the route last year, according to Caminando Fronteras.

In his parliamentary address, the pope called on European governments to seek durable solutions to the drivers of migration rather than focus solely on managing flows. “The moral greatness of a nation is manifested above all in its capacity to accompany, protect and love those lives that pass through the greatest fragility,” he said.