World's Tallest Church Hits Building Milestone After 144 Years-See Inside
New images of Barcelona's Sagrada Família reveal the basilica's latest stage of construction, as its newly completed central tower hosts a historic papal visit, marking a century since the death of Antoni Gaudí, the architect who designed the church.
Images taken on Wednesday and in the lead up to the visit by Pope Leo XIV show the iconic church rising above the Catalan capital, with its cream-colored spires stretching skyward, as sunlight filters through its intricate façades and stained-glass interiors.
Pope Leo XIV traveled to the basilica on Wednesday to lead a mass and inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ-the structure's final and tallest spire-exactly 100 years after Gaudí died on June 10, 1926.
A Record-Breaking Church Construction
During the ceremony, the pontiff blessed the newly completed tower, which makes the Sagrada Família the tallest church in the world.
The latest construction milestone reflects years of accelerated work on Gaudí's vision. According to Guinness World Records, the basilica first claimed the title of the world’s tallest church in October 2025 when the Tower of Jesus Christ reached 162.91 meters (around 534 feet), surpassing Germany's Ulm Minster, which stands at 161.53 meters (around 530 feet).
Further additions in 2026-including the installation of the cross atop the central spire-brought the height to 172.5 meters (around 566 feet), marking the completion of the tower's exterior structure.
The building features a total of 18 spires symbolizing key figures of the Christian faith. The spires include 12 dedicated to the apostles, four to the evangelists, one honoring the Virgin Mary, and the central Tower of Jesus Christ, which is the tallest.
A Historic Milestone
The inauguration of the final tower marks a defining moment in one of the world's longest-running construction projects. For more than a century, the Sagrada Família has stood as a "work in progress," as noted by Pope Leo on Wednesday, who described the church as a symbol of an ongoing spiritual journey.
The centenary celebration not only honors Gaudí's legacy but also signals the near completion of a project that has spanned generations. After more than 140 years of construction, the completion of the central tower represents the culmination of Gaudí's original architectural vision while highlighting the transition from traditional craftsmanship to modern construction techniques.
Why Has It Taken So Long to Build the Sagrada Familia?
Construction of the Sagrada Família began in March 1882 under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, before Gaudí took over the following year, transforming the design into a radically innovative vision inspired by religious symbolism as well as nature.
Progress was slow from the outset. The project relied heavily on private donations, and work was repeatedly interrupted by historical events, including the Spanish Civil War, during which many of Gaudí's original plans and models were destroyed.
After Gaudí's death in 1926-when only a small portion of the basilica had been completed-successive architects continued the work using reconstructed designs.
For decades, the church was referred to as a "forever project." However, construction accelerated significantly in the 21st century due to advances in technology, including computer modeling and precision-cut stonework, enabling faster and more accurate building methods.
Full Construction Continues
Although the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ marks a major milestone, the church itself is not yet fully finished. Work is expected to continue on elements such as the Glory Façade and interior detailing for several more years, with some estimates suggesting completion will extend into the next decade.
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This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 2:26 PM.