Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona's "Sagrada Familia" basilica, the Vatican said on Monday.
Gaudi was a pious man who worked for more than 40 years on the Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world, a UNESCO world heritage site, and one Europe's biggest tourist draws.
Francis approved a decree recognising Gaudi's "heroic virtues", the Vatican said in a statement.
For him to be beatified, the next step in the process of becoming a saint, a miracle would have to be attributed to Gaudi. After that, a second miracle would be required for him to be declared a saint.
Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, but the project, known for its soaring Gothic spires, remains unfinished even after Gaudi devoted the last 12 years of his life exclusively to the project.
It was meant to be completed by 2026, the centenary of the death of Gaudi, whom the Vatican's media outlet, Vatican News, has referred to as "God's architect".
The the target date was postponed indefinitely after the COVID-19 pandemic reduced tourist revenues used to fund construction.
Barcelona’s postponed LaLiga clash with Osasuna will take place on March 27, following the death of the club’s doctor. However, with key players unavailable due to World Cup qualifiers, Barcelona is considering appealing the decision by the Spanish soccer federation.
Two buses have collided in Barcelona today, Monday 3 March which has left 51 people injured, four of which are said to be critical.
Barcelona celebrated January 1st with sunshine, music, and vibrant energy on its iconic Barceloneta Beach. Revelers, both locals and tourists, flocked to the golden sands, dancing, swimming, and enjoying perfect weather as they we
Colossal Biosciences has unveiled three genetically engineered canines as the first "dire wolves" in over 10,000 years—sparking excitement, skepticism, and renewed debate over the ethics and science of de-extinction.
U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to influence the yen's exchange rate in the ongoing trade negotiations with Japan is likely to create challenges for both nations, analysts warned.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has accepted an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Ankara next month. The visit will coincide with the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, which will be held in May.
Puerto Rico experienced its second full power outage in just four months on Wednesday, following a system failure that left most of the island without electricity.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stating on Thursday that Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough."
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
In a country where hockey is sacred, Canadian politics has skated out of the way.
Mount Paektu, an active stratovolcano straddling the border of North Korea and China, has been officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This recognition, which marks North Korea’s first natural site on the prestigious list,highlights the mountain’s significant natural and cultural heritage.
An all-female crew, including pop icon Katy Perry and other trailblazing women, safely returned to Earth after a historic Blue Origin spaceflight—the first all-female mission to reach space since 1963.
The upcoming Beatles biopic will be told through four films.
Val Kilmer, the renowned actor from *Top Gun*, *Batman Forever*, and *The Doors*, has died at 65 from pneumonia. Known for his intense roles and dedication to his craft, Kilmer passed away in Los Angeles surrounded by family.
Colossal Biosciences has unveiled three genetically engineered canines as the first "dire wolves" in over 10,000 years—sparking excitement, skepticism, and renewed debate over the ethics and science of de-extinction.
U.S. President Donald Trump's desire to influence the yen's exchange rate in the ongoing trade negotiations with Japan is likely to create challenges for both nations, analysts warned.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has accepted an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Ankara next month. The visit will coincide with the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, which will be held in May.
Puerto Rico experienced its second full power outage in just four months on Wednesday, following a system failure that left most of the island without electricity.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stating on Thursday that Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough."
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