Le Monde."Architect of God" Antoni Gaudí may be beatified in Spain on the centenary of his death

In 2026, Barcelona prepares for the consecration of the Sagrada Família Basilica, where the tallest tower is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated in June in the presence of Pope Leo XIV. For many believers, this extraordinary structure has become a symbol of the exceptional faith of its creator—architect Antoni Gaudí, whose beatification has long been championed, reports Le Monde.

With a subtle smile and the proud posture of a man who has achieved his goal, José Manuel Almuzara places a small card on a table at the Café La Pedrera in Barcelona. The front features a photograph of Gaudí taken late in his life, showing a long beard and a contemplative gaze. In the background, the Sagrada Família—Barcelona’s iconic basilica and his unfinished masterpiece—stands against a rosy Catalonian sunset.

At the bottom, the architect’s name and dates are printed alongside the inscription: "Architect of God." "This was the first prayer tool we printed at the beginning of our crazy adventure," says the 73-year-old Almuzara. "But you must read what is on the back." The reverse of the card features a brief biography in fine print, concluding with a prayer.

A Centenary Milestone

Gaudí, who left an indelible mark on Barcelona through his modernist and almost surrealist vision, may soon be recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. This has been the mission of Almuzara, who for 34 years has petitioned the Vatican for the iconic architect's canonization. This campaign is as much spiritual as it is artistic, and 2026 may see its ultimate success.

The dream shared by Almuzara and other members of the Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí (founded in 1992) may soon come to fruition, according to sources in Rome. Recently, the Archdiocese of Barcelona, led by Cardinal Joan Josep Omella, even established a more formal canonical body to support the initiative.

The year 2026 holds profound symbolic weight—it marks the 100th anniversary of the death of the architect of the Sagrada Família, one of the world's most breathtaking churches. The basilica, under construction since 1882, will finally see the completion of its tallest spire this year: the Tower of Jesus Christ, crowned with a monumental three-dimensional cross in Gaudí’s authentic style. Standing at 172.5 meters, the tower will transform the skyline of the Catalan capital.

While the overall construction of the basilica is projected to continue for at least another decade, the Archdiocese of Barcelona and Spanish authorities have invited Pope Leo XIV to the solemn inauguration of the new tower in June. Although the trip is not yet officially on the papal calendar, many in Rome and Spain are confident it will take place.

The Path to Sainthood

Almuzara and his supporters have spent decades documenting Gaudí’s exemplary life to inspire the faithful. To achieve sainthood, a miracle must be attributed to the candidate’s intercession. The Vatican is currently reviewing the case of a young boy from Aachen who reportedly recovered from a serious illness after his architect father prayed to Gaudí. Independent experts are now examining medical records to confirm the absence of a scientific explanation.

Gaudí, born in 1852 in Reus, endured childhood tragedies and illness, which left him with a serious and melancholy temperament. In his mature years, he became deeply devoted to spiritual life, inspired by the writings of St. Teresa of Avila, fasting for 40 days and regularly visiting the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.

"From age 42 to 76, Gaudí became increasingly mystical," says a biographer.

His spirituality is best reflected in the Sagrada Família, where every element, from the facades to the interiors, is inspired by the divine. On the Nativity Facade, Gaudí paid tribute to the workers and craftsmen he collaborated with; every face of a biblical character is modeled after a real construction worker. Inside the church, trees are transformed into columns, and the plants on the facades symbolize both the Garden of Eden and the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Father Josep Turull, Rector of the Sagrada Família, notes: "Many people around the world ask for Gaudí’s intercession. This shows that the architect is so close to God that people seek grace through him."

Gaudí died after being struck by a tram on his way to the Oratory, and his true genius was only fully recognized years later. Today, his legacy inspires millions, and the Sagrada Família stands as an eternal monument to both faith and brilliance.