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Pope Leo XIV attends the inauguration ceremony for the completed “Tower of Jesus Christ” at Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, on the 10th (local time). / AP·Yonhap.

During his visit to Spain, Pope Leo XIV marked the 100th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death by celebrating Mass at Barcelona’s Sagrada Família on June 10 (local time), proclaiming a message of peace against war and violence.

Leo XIV, the first American pope, has consistently spoken out against discrimination toward migrants and against war, often clashing with U.S. President Donald Trump over his anti‑war stance.

King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Letizia, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and thousands of worshippers and citizens attended the Mass. The pope reiterated, “War must not be supported or encouraged,” urging tolerance and unity in the face of modern conflicts.

Speaking in Spanish and Catalan, he emphasized, “We cannot incite war while believing in Jesus, nor kill the innocent while believing in Jesus. We cannot abandon those who suffer, weep, and seek to escape poverty while believing in Jesus,” strongly criticizing war, violence, and social indifference.

The event also commemorated Gaudí, known as the “architect of God.” Born in 1825, Gaudí was a devout Catholic who dedicated more than 40 years to building the Sagrada Família until his death in a tram accident in 1926. The Vatican is currently advancing his beatification process.

The pope praised the basilica as “a catechism expressed in stone, color, and light, and an architectural masterpiece,” calling Gaudí’s unfinished work “a symbol of Spain’s unity and harmony.” He added that its incomplete state reminds believers that “Christian life, like the Church itself, is a continuous journey toward God.”

After the Mass, a consecration ceremony was held outside the basilica to celebrate the completion of the recently finished 172.5‑meter “Jesus Christ Tower.” With a five‑story ceramic cross atop, the tower makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world, surpassing Germany’s Ulm Minster.

The basilica features 18 geometric spires symbolizing Christ’s 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus Christ. Alongside the Art Nouveau and naturalist‑styled Nativity façade to the east and Passion façade to the west, the southern Glory façade—set to become the main entrance—is nearing completion. Originally scheduled for Gaudí’s centenary this year, final completion has been postponed to 2035 due to various challenges.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sagrada Família drew a record 4.9 million visitors last year. All entrance fees are dedicated to funding the ongoing construction.

                                                                                                            Lee Jung‑eun