Pope puts Sagrada Familia architect Antoni Gaudi on path to sainthood
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Construction of the Spain’s Sagrada Familia basilica began in 1882, and it is the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world.
PHOTO: AFP
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VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has approved the first step towards sainthood for Mr Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect behind Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica, the Vatican said on April 14.
Mr Gaudi was a pious man who worked for more than 40 years on the Sagrada Familia, the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church in the world, a Unesco world heritage site in Spain, and one of Europe’s biggest tourist draws.
Pope Francis approved a decree recognising Mr Gaudi’s “heroic virtues”, the Vatican said in a statement.
For him to be beatified, the next step in the process of becoming a saint, a miracle would have to be attributed to Mr Gaudi. After that, a second miracle would be required for him to be declared a saint.
Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882, but the project, known for its soaring Gothic spires, remains unfinished even after Mr Gaudi devoted the last 12 years of his life exclusively to the project.
It was meant to be completed by 2026, the centenary of the death of Mr Gaudi, whom the Vatican’s media outlet, Vatican News, has referred to as “God’s architect”.
The target date was postponed indefinitely after the Covid-19 pandemic reduced tourist revenues used to fund construction.
The Church began in 2003 to vet Mr Gaudi, who died in 1926.
Two decades later, in 2023, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona, commissioned a group of religious and lay people to press his cause.
The Sagrada Familia was consecrated in 2010 by then Pope Benedict XVI, paving the way for its use as a place of worship.
At the time, Pope Benedict praised “the genius of Antoni Gaudi… (who), inspired by the ardour 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 Pope Francis’ agenda since the 88-year-old was discharged on March 23
