The details of the inauguration of the tower of Jesus Christ have been announced.
It will be the central moment of the Gaudí Year commemorations.
The Sagrada Família has donated 4,200 tickets, which will be distributed to the public through local parishes.
Barcelona, 21 May 2026 – At a press conference this morning, the Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família presented the details of the event to bless and inaugurate the tower of Jesus Christ, which will take place on the hundredth anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death: 10 June 2026. The event will be led by Pope Leo XIV, who will bless the Basilica’s central tower in a ceremony that is expected to be one of the most meaningful moments in the Sagrada Família’s recent history.
The press conference was held in the Crossing Room, 80 metres above the ground, inside the tower of Jesus Christ (65 metres above the Temple floor). This space, between the crossing vaults and the base of the tower, has several bridges connecting it to the tower of the Virgin Mary and the four towers of the Evangelists. General Director of the Sagrada Família Xavier Martínez and Head Architect Jordi Faulí spoke at the press conference.
Xavier Martínez discussed the activities held so far for the commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of Gaudí’s death.
The programme includes a total of 31 events scheduled between autumn 2025 and Christmas 2026. Of these, twelve have been held since October 2025 and nineteen are scheduled between now and the end of the year. The General Director also highlighted the €3.2 million budget for the commemoration, funded entirely by a patronage plan promoted by the Sagrada Família.
He also thanked the support of the collaborating entities participating in the commemoration project: Audioguiarte, CaixaBank, Clorian Ticketing, Condis Supermercats, Cuatrecasas, Fundación Endesa, GetYourGuide, Henkel, TUI Musement, Palacios y Museos, Prosegur Security, Telefónica, Tiqets and Viking, expressing his sincerest gratitude for their collaboration.
During the press conference, he also gave a detailed schedule for 10 June 2026, when Pope Leo XIV will preside the Solemn mass at the Sagrada Família commemorating the hundredth anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death. There will be a floral offering at the architect’s tomb in the crypt at 10:00 am, in a gesture of remembrance and gratitude for the architect.
At 7:30 pm, the Solemn mass in tribute to Antoni Gaudí will begin, officiated by Pope Leo XIV and concelebrated by the Cardinals, Bishops and Priests, also featuring musicians and choirs from around Catalonia to fill the Basilica with their songs. Afterwards, Pope Leo XIV will go outside the Basilica and bless the tower of Jesus Christ in a celebration of great spiritual and institutional importance. Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain, president of the Spanish Government and president of Generalitat de Catalunya have confirmed attendance.
The Sagrada Família has donated 4,200 tickets, which will be distributed to the public through local parishes.
Before finishing, Xavier Martínez discussed the expected turnout for the event. More than 4,000 people will attend the Solemn mass in person, by invitation only, and they will follow the event outdoors via screen. The celebration can also be watched live on the institutional television feed, social media and screens put up around the city.
An additional 4,000 invitations are expected to be made available to follow the event from outside the Basilica, on Carrer de la Marina, in front of the Nativity façade. Of these invitations, 3,080 will be set aside for parish communities and 920 for the Sagrada Família and Archdiocese’s institutional commitments.
Then Jordi Faulí, head architect of the Sagrada Família, went over the main construction milestones of the tower of Jesus Christ, from when building started on 16 October 2018 with the first panels put in place 85 metres above the ground to the installation of the final piece of the cross on 20 February 2026. He described the tower’s pinnacle and the Cross, including their form, materials and symbolism. He also noted that work has been under way for several months on the internal cladding and that the figure of The Lamb of God has recently been installed. He further explained that work is in progress on the installation of a lift. In addition, the crane bracing is due to be removed shortly.
When he was finished, Jordi Faulí invited those in attendance to visit the inside of the tower of the Virgin Mary.
With this commemorative programme, the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família Foundation aims to make the public more aware of Antoni Gaudí and his work, as well as paying tribute to one of the most universal Catalan architects.says release.
More information about the commemorative events is available on sagradafamilia2026.org.
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