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On June 10, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona will become the center of a major religious event: a mass led by Pope Leo XIV will be held here, commemorating the centenary of architect Antoni Gaud\u00ed\u2019s death. On the same day, the pontiff will consecrate the new Tower of Jesus Christ, which will make the basilica the tallest in the world \u2014 its height will reach 172.5 meters. Organizers have already announced that 4,200 parishioners from Barcelona parishes have been invited, and the total number of participants inside and outside the basilica will exceed 8,000 people.<\/p>\n
Inside the Sagrada Familia, 4,000 guests will be able to attend, with an equal number accommodated in the square in front of the Nativity fa\u00e7ade, where large screens will be set up for broadcasting. More than half of the tickets have been allocated to city residents: 1,200 seats for participation in the mass, and another 3,000 for attending the tower consecration ceremony. Among the invitees are high-ranking clergy from Spain and abroad, including cardinals and bishops, as well as participants of the Mediterranean Bishops\u2019 Meeting, which will take place in Barcelona at the same time.<\/p>\n
Among the official guests expected are the King and Queen of Spain, Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, the head of the Catalan government Salvador Illa, the Mayor of Barcelona Jaume Collboni, and representatives of European institutions. As clarified by Sagrada Familia director Xavier Mart\u00ednez, about 200\u2013250 church and state officials will take part in the ceremony. Other invitations have been sent to representatives of the archdiocese and the temple\u2019s partners. A choir of 600 singers will perform, and a press center will open for journalists from around the world on Mallorca Street. So far, 1,600 accreditation requests from media outlets have been submitted.<\/p>\n
The consecration ceremony of the Jesus Christ tower will take place outdoors: the Pope will leave the basilica, while those gathered will remain in their places. At that moment, the two tallest towers\u2014Mary\u2019s and Jesus Christ\u2019s\u2014will be illuminated. An elevator is planned to be installed inside the new tower, but access for visitors will open only in 2028. All expenses related to events marking the Gaud\u00ed centenary are covered by Sagrada Familia\u2019s partner companies, including CaixaBank, Condis, CuatreCasas, Fundaci\u00f3n Endesa, Telef\u00f3nica, and Prosegur. The total program budget amounted to 3.2 million euros, with preparations beginning even before the Pope\u2019s visit was confirmed.<\/p>\n