Pope Leo visited Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia on Wednesday to inaugurate its newest geometric spire, making the modernist masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí the world’s tallest church.
After celebrating Mass inside the light-filled basilica at 7:30 p.m. (17:30 GMT), the pope stepped outside to bless the 172.5-metre (566 ft) Tower of Jesus Christ, topped with a five-storey ceramic cross visible across the Catalan capital.
Members of the Spanish royal family, the prime minister, and thousands of the faithful were in attendance for the inauguration Mass on Wednesday evening.
The occasion carried deep religious significance, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
This marks the third time a pope has visited the basilica. Last year, the Vatican whose media portal has described Gaudí as “God’s architect” approved a key step in the process of recognising him as a saint.
Born in 1852, Gaudí was a devout Catholic who devoted more than 40 years to the Sagrada Familia, from 1883 until his death in a tram accident in 1926. Completing the vast project, which features three facades in distinct architectural styles and 18 nature-inspired towers, has been challenging. While originally intended for completion this year, the target date has been extended to 2035.
The basilica, along with six other Gaudí works, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and attracts millions of visitors to Barcelona annually. Last year, 4.9 million people visited, setting a new record, with entry fees supporting ongoing construction.
Earlier on Wednesday, Pope Leo became the first pontiff to visit one of Spain’s largest prisons. At Brians 1 penitentiary, he encouraged inmates to make amends for their past actions and embrace better choices.
“A person’s past does not condemn the future but offers the possibility of changing our decisions and choices,” he said.
He also visited the Benedictine abbey in Montserrat, around 60 km (40 miles) from Barcelona, urging monks to reject hurtful words, hasty judgements, gossip and slander, including on social media.
In a nod to the region’s cultural identity, Leo addressed people briefly in Catalan.
“That a pope, such an important global figure, speaks to people in Catalan gives me goosebumps,” said Montserrat Cerdeira, 54, outside the abbey.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a potential meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place du...
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Ma...
Nearly half of delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as Russian...
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a potential meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place during the G20 summit in Miami in December, although neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed the talks.
Nearly half of delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed the group, exposing deep divisions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Nationwide protests are set to begin in France on Saturday with students, trade unionists and remnants of the Yellow Vest movement expected to demonstrate against rising living costs amongst others.
European Union leaders wrapped up a summit in Brussels with agreement emerging on several key issues, including support for the automotive industry, trade tensions with China and financing for Ukraine.
What would you miss most after six months orbiting Earth, 400 kilometres above the ground? For astronauts, a familiar meal can offer a welcome taste of home. China is making that possible, bringing everything from dumplings to Kung Pao chicken to its space station.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment