The Culmination of a Dream
With the completion of the towers of the four evangelists and planning to inaugurate the tower of Jesus Christ in 2026, it can be said that the Sagrada Família has already entered the final stage of construction. This masterpiece by the architect Antoni Gaudí is one of Barcelona’s most emblematic monuments and a symbol of the city.
A visit from Pope Francis
Recently, Pope Francis received in a private audience, on February 17, the Board of Trustees and the management team of the Sagrada Família. Before beginning his spiritual exercises, the Holy Father wanted to dedicate some time to thank the work of all those present. The Pope entered the room and individually greeted each and every person invited, among whom were Mons. David Abadías, auxiliary bishop of Barcelona; the rector of the basilica of the Sagrada Família, Mn. Joseph Maria Turull; the president-delegate of the Construction Board, Esteve Camps; the architect director, Jordi Faulí, and the members of the board of trustees and the management team of the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família, many of them accompanied by their families.
A Message of Prayer
During the meeting, the Pope emphasized the importance of maintaining a climate of prayer in the temples and declared this year as a year of prayer to prepare for the Jubilee of 2025. He invited those present to welcome the pilgrims with a prayerful attitude and to contemplate Antoni Gaudí’s iconographic project in its entirety.
The Symbolism of the Holy Family
The Pope highlighted the symbolic structure of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, where each portal represents a theme illustrated by biblical passages and framed by prayer. He stressed the importance of preached faith becoming living prayer directed towards God and invited the visitors to contemplate the mystery of the Incarnation and to raise their gazes towards the divinity.
A gift for the Pope
During the visit, the architect Jordi Faulí presented the Pope with the definitive model of the temple and explained to him what the final project will look like. In addition, he was given a book by Antoni Gaudí and a letter from the Archbishop of Barcelona, Card. Joan Josep Omella. The Pope showed interest and was invited to attend the completion of the tower of Jesus Christ, a proposal he received with gratitude.