A view of La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain on January 28, 2025. Umut Can Karahasanoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images

Two decades later, in 2023, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, commissioned a group of religious and lay people to press his cause.

Gaudi, who was born in 1852, was a prolific architect whose distinctive style was characterized by freedom of form, color and texture. He worked almost entirely in or near Barcelona. Seven properties built by Gaudi, including Parque Güell, Palacio Güell and the Sagrada Familia are named in UNESCO's World Heritage List.

Gaudi was a devout Catholic and believed the church's construction was his way to make amends with God for the sins of the modern world, "60 Minutes" reported. Construction of the basilica is expected to be completed in 2026, after more than a century.

The Sagrada Familia was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, paving the way for its use as a place of worship.

At the time, Benedict praised "the genius of Antoni Gaudi.... (who), inspired by the ardor of his Christian faith, succeeded in transforming this church into a praise to God made of stone."

The signing of the decree was the first official appointment on Francis's agenda since the 88-year-old was discharged on March 23 following five weeks in hospital battling life-threatening pneumonia.


Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) Catalan architect c. 1882 Rue des Archives / Getty Images


Parque Guell in Barcelona, Spain in March 2020. Xavier Ballart/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto via Getty Images

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