The placement of the upper arm of the cross on the Jesus Christ tower at the Sagrada Familia, 144 years after the start of construction of the expiatory temple designed by Antoni Gaudí, coincided on this February 20 with the blessing of a new humanitarian caravan to Ukraine organized by the Santa Clara Convent Foundation, led by the nun Lucía Caram.
The Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan José Omella, attended to preside over the Eucharist and bless the 42nd Humanitarian Corridor. The exterior culmination of the temple’s central tower took place on the same day, although this Thursday’s event was strictly technical in nature. The solemn blessing of the new tower is scheduled for next June 10, coinciding with the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain.
The phrase that marked the close
In his speech, the cardinal linked both events by stating:
“The departure toward Ukraine coincides with the final position of the last arm of the cross of Jesus Christ”.
Next, he closed his speech cheering:
“Long live the Sagrada Familia, long live Ukraine, long live Catalonia, long live Barcelona!”