Pope Leo XIV Visits Spain, Blesses New Tower of Sagrada Familia

(Central News Agency, Barcelona, 10th, Comprehensive Foreign News) Pope Leo XIV today held a mass at the iconic Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, blessing the magnificent new tower, which has made the church the tallest in the world.

According to AFP, the ceremony concluded with a fireworks and light show that illuminated the facade of the Sagrada Familia, with changing colors highlighting the majestic silhouette of its towering spires against the unfinished church.

The approximately 90-minute mass featured a 600-person choir. Attendees included Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, King Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia.

The Pope delivered his homily in Spanish, Catalan, and Latin. Amidst the colorful stained glass and tree-like stone columns, he called for peace, stating, "We cannot believe in Jesus and advocate for war; we cannot believe in Jesus and kill innocent people." Observers believe this was an implicit reference to the policies of the Trump administration in the United States.

At the end of the mass, the American-born Pope blessed the central Jesus Christ Tower of the Sagrada Familia. The tower was completed in February, bringing the total height of the church to 172.5 meters.

After looking up at the tower, the Pope sprinkled holy water on it, then turned to bless the congregation, drawing applause and cheers.

Windows and balconies around the square were crowded with onlookers.

The Sagrada Familia is a modernist masterpiece designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi, attracting nearly 5 million visitors last year.

Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is expected to take about another 10 years to be fully completed.

After concluding his visit to Barcelona, the Pope will travel to the Canary Islands to focus on immigration issues. This Atlantic archipelago is a major gateway for illegal immigrants entering Europe, drawing significant attention. (Editor: Xu Ruicheng) 1150611