Pope celebrates mass at Sagrada Familia Pope Leo XIV blessed this Wednesday (10) the new tower of the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, which has been under construction for more than a century. While the Pope slept, Barcelona remained awake. At dawn, the Glòries tower lit up. On the top floor, people in prayer could see the Sagrada Familia. The new tower named after Jesus is only expected to open to the public in 2028. 📱Bookmark g1 on Google and follow the main news of the day It is the fate of a masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí, which has lasted for generations. The Holy Family went through three different centuries. When construction began in 1882, Dom Pedro II was still emperor of Brazil, the Eiffel Tower in Paris had not yet been built and automobiles did not exist. Pope Leo XIV blesses new tower of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona National Newspaper/ Reproduction After 144 years from the first stone, Gaudí's central tower receives the Pope's blessing on the centenary of its author's death. The Pope visited the basilica's underground and prayed at Gaudí's tomb. Before the kings and prime minister of Spain, Leo XIV celebrated the historic mass. In his homily, he appealed to the temple as a sign of unity and concord for all of Spain. "Its imperfection is not a defect, but testimony of a desire. It represents a promise that we want to honor consistently", said the Pope. When talking about the cross on the tallest tower in the world, he sent an unequivocal message: “We cannot believe in Jesus and, at the same time, promote war or kill innocent people.” The Sagrada Família, an unfinished work, continues under construction. But, this Wednesday (10), one of Gaudí's most ambitious dreams came closer than ever to the form he imagined. GloboPop: click to see videos from the Jornal Nacional stage