PHOTOS: Pope Leo honors Gaudi's Sagrada Familia masterpiece in Barcelona

By — Joseph Wilson, Associated Press Joseph Wilson, Associated Press By — Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/photos-pope-leo-honors-gaudis-sagrada-familia-masterpiece-in-barcelona Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter PHOTOS: Pope Leo honors Gaudi's Sagrada Familia masterpiece in Barcelona World Jun 10, 2026 3:14 PM EDT BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Sagrada Familia Basilica as a masterpiece of "stones, colors and light," as he marked the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, with a Mass on Wednesday under its soaring sandcastle spires. Leo called Gaudí's unfinished temple, one of the world's most visited monuments, a "sign of unity and harmony for all of Spain," an ongoing building project like the lifelong journey all Christians make to find God. READ MORE: Pope's historic speech to Spain's parliament demands respect for migrants, gets 7-minute ovation "We are all the living stones of this edifice," Leo said from the altar of the basilica, with Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia sitting to his side and a hundreds-strong choir filling the soaring basilica with song. The service marked the highlight of Leo's weeklong visit to Spain, the first by a pope in 15 years to the once staunchly Catholic European country that, like many others, has experienced secularizing trends. Members of the clergy enter the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia ahead of the Holy Mass, during Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey, in Barcelona on June 10, 2026. Photo by Yara Nardi/ Reuters The trip, though, has underscored how the country of 50 million people, which experienced a religious crisis after its 20th century dictatorship ended, still has plenty of faithful Catholics who have turned out in droves to welcome the American pope. READ MORE: Pope Leo urges Spanish bishops to provide reparations to abuse survivors Tens of thousands of people lined the streets around Sagrada Familia for the event, with streets closed to traffic and a heavy police presence, given the attendance of the royal couple and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The crowds remained to watch a light show that was to accompany Leo's consecration of the basilica's final Tower of Jesus Christ that has made it the world's tallest church. A woman prays from a building as Pope Leo XIV celebrates Holy Mass at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia on June 10, 2026. Photo by Michele Spatari/ Reuters "The entire structure of the Sagrada Familia is striking," said Laura Rincón, who was on hand outside along with two friends for the Mass, after she finished work in a nearby shop. She said that she was sure the pope would be impressed by the church she marvels at every time she passes by. "If you look at it just for its architecture, it is amazing," she said. "Inside, its columns make you feel like you are inside a forest." Honoring Ca