Pope Leo XIV Blesses Tower of Jesus Christ at Sagrada Família, Calls Faithful to Reject Violence

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass and blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, on June 10, marking the centenary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudí.

According to Vatican News, the Pope began his visit with prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and a visit to Gaudí’s tomb inside the basilica. Gaudí, whose cause for beatification is underway, designed the Sagrada Família as a profound expression of Christian faith through architecture, symbolism, light, and color.

The Mass was attended by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Church leaders, and civil authorities.

During the celebration, Pope Leo blessed the Tower of Jesus Christ, the basilica’s tallest tower. Vatican News reported that the illuminated cross atop the tower was presented as a sign of redemption, hope, and God’s love for humanity.

In his homily, delivered in Catalan and Spanish, the Pope reflected on a passage from the Gospel of John in which Jesus says, “You will die in your sins unless you believe that I am He.”

According to Vatican News, Pope Leo described the words as both a warning and an invitation to salvation through faith in Christ.

He stressed that genuine Christian faith must be reflected in the way people treat others.

“We cannot believe in Jesus and wage war. We cannot believe in Jesus and kill the innocent. We cannot believe in Jesus and abandon those who suffer, who weep, who flee from poverty,” the Pope said.

The Holy Father also reflected on the meaning of the Sagrada Família, describing it as a place that welcomes all people to gather around the Word of God and the Eucharist.

Drawing on the basilica’s architecture, he said the Church is built like a living structure, with Christ as its foundation and ultimate goal. The continuing construction of the Sagrada Família, he added, serves as a reminder that Christian life is an ongoing journey in which believers cooperate with God's work.

Vatican News reported that Pope Leo thanked all those who have contributed to the construction of the basilica over the decades and praised the site as both an architectural masterpiece and an instrument of evangelization.

Concluding his homily, the Pope urged Christians not only to raise their eyes toward Christ but also to reach out to those who are poor, marginalized, and suffering, allowing faith to be expressed through charity and service.