A Creepy and Bizarre Temple: Leo XIV Visits Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona

Now tallest church building in the world…

A Creepy and Bizarre Temple:
Leo XIV Visits Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona

(image: Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Abaca Press/Alamy Live News)

Robert Prevost, commonly known by his stage name ‘Pope Leo XIV’, has been on an extended ‘apostolic journey’ to Spain, which began on June 6 and will conclude on June 12.

On June 10, Leo XIV visited the basilica known as Sagrada Família in Barcelona. Its full official name is Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (‘Basilica and Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family’). It was designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). Construction began on March 19, 1882, and is technically still ongoing.

The edifice had previously been solemnly consecrated by Joseph Ratzinger (‘Pope Benedict XVI’), but Leo now got to inaugurate its ‘Tower of Jesus Christ’, the tallest of its numerous spires.

The entire Novus Ordo worship service (‘Holy Mass’) Leo XIV presided over, along with the tower dedication ceremony and a spectacular light show and musical performance that followed, can be watched here (direct link):

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The same day, June 10, Prevost had also visited the crypt of the basilica and the tomb of architect Gaudi (direct link):

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The following video clip from Rome Reports shows just the fireworks/light show, and musical performance for the inauguration of the Christ Tower (direct link):

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While the building is quite impressive and highly complex, architecturally speaking, many of its elements are nothing short of creepy and bizarre.

The following photos show some of the inside and outside of Sagrada Familia.

The above photo was taken in 2024, before the highest tower was completed
(image: Sven Hansche / Shutterstock.com)

To be clear, the pictures immediately above and below show the outside of the church in its completed state (QSP via Alamy)

The shaggy facade is considered a feature, not a bug

above: the main sanctuary with its hideous altar
(image: Collab Media / Shutterstock.com)

above: view of the vault above the center of the transept
(image: marcobriviophotographer / Shutterstock.com)

above: a wider shot of the interior (image: ikumaru / Shutterstock.com)

above: looking at the ceiling from below (image: David Herraez Calzada / Shutterstock.com)

above: Leo XIV presides over ‘Mass’ on June 10, 2026
(image: Independent Photo Agency/Vatican Media/Alamy Live News)

above: Leo XIV at the ‘beautiful’ altar of Sagrada Familia on June 10, 2026
(image: Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Abaca Press/Alamy Live News)

And yeah, whatever this is.
(image: Enric Fontcuberta/EPA/Shutterstock)

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The fireworks display at the end was grandiose but made it seem like the basilica was being blown to pieces:

(above image: QSP via Alamy)

(above image: © Eric Renom/ZUMA Press Wire)

Although designed in the 1880s, this edifice seems to fit snugly into the Neo-Modernist framework of the Vatican II Church.