World’s Tallest Church Blessed by Pope Leo XIV
Last update: June 9, 2026
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Barcelona’s skyline just got a papal blessing — and the world’s tallest church is officially complete.
Pope Leo XIV has landed in Barcelona, and he’s here for a big one — blessing the brand-new tower at the Sagrada Familia that’s just made it the tallest church on the planet. As reported by cbinews.tv, the visit is part of day four of his Spain tour.
He flew in from Madrid on Tuesday, fresh off an unprecedented address to parliament and a massive open-air mass that drew 1.5 million people. Before leaving the capital, Leo took a moment to thank the thousands of volunteers who helped pull off the huge logistical and security operation — including Monday’s event at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium.
Once in Barcelona, the Pope’s diary is packed. He’ll visit the city’s Gothic cathedral and lead a prayer vigil at the Olympic Stadium later today. Despite Spain’s decades-long dip in religious observance, excitement is running high. Worshippers were already queuing outside the cathedral hours early, with security tight across the city.
“I think the people will show that there is more faith and more Catholicism than people generally think,” said 44-year-old carpenter Roberto Crespo, who reckons Leo’s in for a “very warm” welcome.
Wednesday is set to be even bigger. The Pope will meet prisoners and head to the Montserrat abbey, about 60km outside Barcelona, before celebrating mass in the Sagrada Familia itself. The date isn’t random — it marks exactly 100 years since Antoni Gaudí, the church’s devout architect, died on 10 June 1926 after being hit by a tram on his way to prayer. His cause for sainthood is currently moving through the Vatican.
After mass, Leo will bless the new Jesus Christ tower, the centrepiece that was finished in February. It’s pushed the basilica to its full height of 172.5 metres, officially making it the world’s tallest church. The Sagrada Familia still isn’t fully finished — that’s expected in about a decade — but it already pulled in nearly 5 million visitors last year.
From Barcelona, the Pope heads to the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday. There he’ll meet migrants and the volunteers supporting them and pay tribute to those who lost their lives trying to reach the Atlantic archipelago.
Source: cbinews.tv
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