On October 30, 2025, Barcelona's Sagrada Família — under construction for 143 years — became the world's tallest church when its central Tower of Jesus Christ surpassed Ulm Minster in height, with Pope Leo XIV set to bless the completed tower on June 10, 2026, exactly 100 years after architect Gaudí's death.

A church that's been under construction since 1882 just became the world's tallest. On October 30, 2025, Barcelona's Sagrada Família surpassed Ulm Minster in height when its central Tower of Jesus Christ topped out at 566 feet. Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pope — is set to bless the completed tower on June 10, 2026, the exact 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death. Gaudí had spent 43 years on the basilica and died after being hit by a tram — so humbly dressed that bystanders mistook him for a beggar. Source in first comment.