The spectacular inauguration of the last major tower of the Sagrada Familia turned Barcelona into the stage for a historic celebration on Wednesday. Thousands of people packed the streets around Antoni Gaudí's basilica to attend a ceremony marked by emotion and music, a drone show and an impressive display of lights and fireworks that lit up the city's most iconic monument.
The ceremony was presided over by Pope Leo XIV, who celebrated a special Mass to mark the centenary of Gaudí's death; the architect devoted more than four decades of his life to designing and building the basilica. He also blessed the new Tower of Jesus Christ, the tallest of the basilica's spires, which has made the Sagrada Familia the tallest church in the world.
Some 120,000 people gathered in the streets near the basilica, where a large security operation was in place because of the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as well as the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez.
After the Mass, held inside the basilica, Leo XIV came outside to bless the large illuminated ceramic cross that crowns the new tower. As a children's choir performed several musical pieces, a spectacular light show transformed the basilica's famous stained-glass windows into a mosaic of colours visible from outside. The ceremony ended with fireworks launched from the façade of the basilica.
