Pope Leo to bless Barcelona’s towering architectural masterpiece

Pope Leo XIV will offer his formal blessing to the highest spire of the world’s tallest church, when he holds Mass at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

BARCELONA, Spain — Pope Leo XIV will offer his formal blessing to the highest spire of what is now the world’s tallest church, when he holds Mass at the iconic Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Wednesday.

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The event, the highlight of a weeklong trip to Spain that has already drawn huge crowds, is being held at the modernist basilica to coincide with the centenary of the death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí.

The American pontiff has recently clashed with President Donald Trump over the war in Iran and immigration, issues he has highlighted on this tour of the predominantly Catholic nation. It has also featured minor controversies over Leo’s sports fandom, and a private meeting with Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny.