Cypriot president attends Sagrada Familia inauguration in Barcelona

President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides has traveled to Barcelona to attend the inauguration of the newly completed 172.5-meter Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia. The visit occurs in his capacity as the head of the EU Council Presidency at the invitation of the Spanish government. Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to preside over the solemn mass and official blessing of the tower. While the main structure of the church was originally slated for completion by 2026, current estimates suggest full completion of the basilica may not occur until 2034. Following the inauguration, the event will feature a light show tribute to architect Antoni Gaudi. On Thursday, President Christodoulides will visit the Picasso Museum to view the exhibition 'Picasso and Cyprus: Encounters with the Ceramics of the Mediterranean,' which is part of the Cyprus EU presidency cultural programme. He is expected to return to Cyprus after the conclusion of these events.