“The Sagrada Família presents to the world a Barcelona defined by ambition, perseverance, and a vision for the future” by Esteve Camps.

In the year marking the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ, together with the visit of Pope Leo XIV, places the Sagrada Família at one of the most symbolic moments in its history. Esteve Camps, executive president of the basilica, reflects with Barcelona Global on a collective undertaking that has spanned generations, strengthened Barcelona’s international profile, and underscored the importance of thinking about the city with a long-term vision.

2026 is an exceptional year for Barcelona: the Gaudí Year, the centenary of his death, and the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ. How is such a historic moment experienced from within the Sagrada Família?

At the Sagrada Família, this moment is experienced with excitement, but also with a profound sense of responsibility and gratitude. The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ during the Gaudí Year and the centenary of his death represents far more than an architectural milestone: it is a historic moment that brings together 144 years of work, several generations of artisans, and the sustained commitment of an entire city to an exceptional project.

2026 is not only a symbolic year; it marks the culmination of a collective endeavour that Gaudí envisioned but was unable to see completed.

The Tower of Jesus Christ will be the tallest and most symbolic element of the basilica. What do you believe it represents for Barcelona to see this central part of Gaudí’s dream completed?

The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ means completing the symbolic and spiritual core of the project conceived by Gaudí and moving towards the final stage of a work that began more than 140 years ago.
The Tower of Jesus Christ is also proof that the city is bringing to completion a central part of a collective dream that has involved architects, artisans, workers and millions of people over time.

In a global context, this milestone strengthens the international projection of the Sagrada Família and, at the same time, offers an opportunity for citizens to embrace it as a shared achievement — not only architectural or touristic, but also cultural and patrimonial.

On June 10, coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death, the Pope visited Barcelona and presided over the inauguration of the tower. What significance does this visit have for the basilica, the city and its international projection?

The visit of Pope Leo XIV has been both an honour and a recognition of the temple’s catechetical mission, especially at such a significant moment as the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ.

This visit reinforces the spiritual dimension of the Sagrada Família and its vocation of service to the Church and the city. The presence of the Holy Father transforms this milestone into an event that transcends Barcelona and projects to the world the strength of a project that brings together faith, culture and heritage.

Beyond the architectural challenge, what has been the most complex aspect of reaching this historic milestone with the Tower of Jesus Christ?

The greatest challenge has been maintaining the balance between the different dimensions that coexist within the Sagrada Família: construction, worship and the reception of visitors. The basilica is a work in constant evolution, but it is also a living temple with a clear diocesan vocation.

This requires a great organisational capacity, but above all the responsibility of guiding a moment with profound significance: completing a central part of Gaudí’s project without losing sight of its original purpose and the message it seeks to convey to the world.

The Sagrada Família is at once a temple, an architectural icon, a cultural engine and Barcelona’s global calling card. How do you balance its spiritual dimension with its enormous international projection?

The Sagrada Família has a truly unique reality: it is a living temple, a work under construction and a place that attracts interest from around the world. The key to this balance lies in preserving, above all else, the purpose for which Gaudí conceived it — as a space for spirituality and encounter.

Its international dimension and the arrival of visitors have been essential in ensuring the continuity of the project and advancing construction. At the same time, this coexists with the desire to maintain a close connection with the people of Barcelona. In recent years, the institution has worked to ensure that more and more people feel that the Sagrada Família is a shared and accessible space, through open days and other initiatives

The challenge is to continue moving forward without losing sight of the project’s essence: to be a temple open to the world, yet deeply rooted in the city.

Gaudí worked with future generations in mind. Now that Barcelona is witnessing the completion of one of the most anticipated elements of the project, what message do you think it leaves us about ambition, patience and a vision for the city?

The message is the importance of thinking in the long term and understanding that some projects transcend a single generation. The completion of the Tower of Jesus Christ highlights this continuity; today, the fifth generation is working on the construction of the Sagrada Família, a project that has progressed thanks to sustained commitment over time.

It also demonstrates the ability to adapt to change while preserving the original essence. For decades, construction largely depended on donations, but the growth of tourism marked a turning point. The fact that visitor admissions are the project's sole source of income has provided stability, accelerated progress and made it possible to begin envisioning its completion.

In a global context where cities compete to attract talent, investment and visitors, what does the Sagrada Família contribute to Barcelona’s distinctive identity?

At the Sagrada Família, it is understood that every city has its own identity and value. In this regard, the uniqueness of the Sagrada Família is undeniable. It is a singular element that forms part of Barcelona’s history and present, and continues to inspire interest and admiration throughout the world.

Beyond the milestone of June 10, what would you like the people of Barcelona and those who visit the city to better understand about the Sagrada Família?

The Sagrada Família is a living project that will one day complete its construction phase. However, the project will continue to evolve in other areas that are already part of its identity, particularly social action.

Through its Social Action Fund, launched in 2023, the Sagrada Família has supported more than 300 initiatives with over €11 million in funding, and this commitment will be strengthened even further in the future.

Therefore, beyond the construction work itself, the goal is for the Sagrada Família to continue developing a social mission focused especially on the most vulnerable groups in society.