Faithful line streets as Pope Leo to bless Sagrada Família on centenary of Gaudí’s death

As completion of 144-year construction nears, questions swirl over resemblance of church to architect’s original plans

Ten hours before he was due to pass by, the faithful were already picking their spots along the route Pope Leo XIV will take on his brief journey to bless Antoni Gaudí’s iconic church the Sagrada Família.

It’s been a long wait but this evening, 144 years after work began, the pope will bless the basilica’s recently completed central tower in the presence of members of the Spanish royal family, the prime minister and hundreds of bishops.