Pope Francis Advances Sainthood Cause for Antoni Gaudí, Architect of the Sagrada Familia

Pope Francis has formally advanced the cause for sainthood of Antoni Gaudí, the renowned Catalan architect behind Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica.

On April 14, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis recognized Gaudí’s “heroic virtue,” officially declaring him “venerable”—a significant milestone in the Catholic Church’s canonization process.

This recognition comes after decades of advocacy by the Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí, which began promoting his cause in 1992.

The Archdiocese of Barcelona recently submitted a comprehensive dossier, or “positio,” detailing Gaudí’s life, virtues, and reputation for holiness to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The document, spanning two volumes and 2,000 pages, was instrumental in the Vatican’s decision to move his cause forward.

Gaudí, often called “God’s architect,” is celebrated for his groundbreaking architectural vision and deepening faith, especially during his later years.

Though not initially devout, he underwent a spiritual transformation while working on the Sagrada Familia, dedicating the last 14 years of his life exclusively to the basilica.

Known for his ascetic lifestyle and devotion, Gaudí died in 1926 after being struck by a tram while on his way to confession. He is buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Familia, the only part of the basilica completed during his lifetime.

With the title of “venerable,” Gaudí’s cause now enters the next phase: beatification. For this, the Vatican requires evidence of a miracle attributed to his intercession. A second miracle would be necessary for canonization, the final step to sainthood.

Among the cases under review is that of a woman from Reus who claims to have regained her sight through prayers to Gaudí.

The Sagrada Familia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most visited churches, is expected to be completed in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí’s death.

The basilica’s completion and Gaudí’s progress toward sainthood are seen as fitting tributes to his enduring legacy in both architecture and faith.

Pope Francis’s decree follows a tradition of papal support for Gaudí’s cause, with Pope Benedict XVI previously consecrating the Sagrada Familia in 2010 and praising Gaudí’s ability to unite nature, scripture, and liturgy in his work.

The Vatican’s latest move marks a rare recognition of an artist’s spiritual and cultural impact, as few figures from the world of art have been considered for sainthood.