Spectacular spectacle in the Sagrada Familia Basilica. The ceremony was a delight [NAGRANIE]

On Wednesday, the second day of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Barcelona, ​​the culminating event of this stage of his trip to Spain took place. The Pope celebrated mass in the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), which has been under construction for 144 years. Leo XIV was welcomed at the Sagrada Familia by King Philip VI of Spain and Queen Letizia. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was also present.

After the mass celebrated by the Pope in the basilica, which has been under construction for 144 years, it took place inauguration of the 172.5 meter high tower, which is crowned with a large cross. Leo XIV blessed the tower, and the solemn act in front of the temple was watched by tens of thousands of people from all over the world gathered around the Sagrada Familia and on all the streets leading to it.

Then the basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi was illuminated. After this spectacle of light and sound, there was a fireworks show that lit up the sky over Barcelona.

The ceremony delighted those present.

Pope Leo XIV: art and beauty are outstanding channels of evangelization

Mass was celebrated in 100th anniversary of the death of Antoni Gaudi, author of the basilica design. The Pope paid tribute to the architect at his grave. The beatification process of Gaudi, called “God's architect”, is ongoing in the Vatican.

The Pope said in his homily that Wednesday evening is a celebration for all of Barcelona and the Spanish nation, especially – he emphasized – the Catalan nation.

“Barcelona and all of Catalonia gather in this temple, which is also a sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain, and raise their eyes to meet the face of God the Father,” he said. He recalled that the basilica was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

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Fireworks lit up the sky over Barcelona

— This church is one building made of many stones, a house that continues to grow over the years according to the same design. We are all living stones of this work, the foundation and culmination, the beginning and the end of which is Christ. Much more than a monument, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia remains, even today, a building still under construction, he declared.

— Its imperfection is not a lack because it is a sign of desire; does not mean deficiency, but expresses a promise that we want to consistently fulfill, he emphasized.

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The extraordinary spectacle was admired by tens of thousands of people

The Pope said that faith gives shape to stones and gives meaning to this building, and Gaudi was an “architect burning with faith” who “proposed us a spiritual pilgrimage leading to an encounter with Christ.”

Leo XIV noted that “art and beauty are outstanding channels of evangelization.” — Let us show that Sagrada Familia is the highest church in the world, not to stand out in world rankings, but to guide the steps of the People of God pilgrimage in this land of Catalonia with the cross that lights the way.

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Crowds gathered in front of the basilica

The construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882. The part built by Gaudi was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. It has 18 towers, the highest of which – the Tower of Jesus Christ, with a height of 172.5 meters – makes it the basilica became the tallest church in the world.

Gaudi chose this height to make the tower half a meter lower than the peak of the nearby Montjuic mountain because he believed that the work of man should not exceed the work of God. At the top of the Tower of Jesus Christ there is a cross made of glass and white glazed ceramics, with an arms span of approximately 13 m.