Pope Leo inaugurates the Tower of Jesus Christ at Sagrada Familia

On June 10, 2026, Pope Leo XIV celebrated a solemn mass and blessed the 172.5-meter Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The event coincides with the centenary of the death of architect Antoni Gaudi, whose canonization is being considered by the Catholic Church. The ceremony was attended by various international leaders, including the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and his wife, Philippa Karsera, representing the Cyprus presidency of the EU Council. President Christodoulides welcomed the Pope upon his arrival at the basilica. While the tower was completed in February 2026, reports indicate the overall construction of the church is expected to continue until 2034. On the following day, President Christodoulides is scheduled to visit the Picasso Museum to attend an exhibition organized as part of the cultural program of the Cypriot EU presidency. Spanish King Felipe and Queen Letizia were also in attendance.