Vatican puts ‘God’s architect’ Antoni Gaudí on path to sainthood

The Vatican on Monday recognized visionary Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s “heroic virtues” and declared him “venerable” – a significant step in the Roman Catholic Church’s process towards sainthood.

Monday’s announcement was a culmination of a decades-long effort to honor Gaudí’s spiritual and artistic legacy.

Born in 1852, Gaudí is best known for designing the distinctive Sagrada Família basilica in Barcelona.

The basilica, which has been under construction since 1883, is estimated to be completed in 2026—more than 140 years after it began.

Often referred to as “God’s architect,” Gaudí saw the structure as “a Bible in stone,” integrating 18 towers representing chief biblical figures: the 12 apostles, four evangelists, the Virgin Mary, and Jesus.

The declaration by Pope Francis marks the beginning of a canonization process that generally requires evidence of two miracles attributed to the candidate’s intercession.

These claims should be reviewed by theologians and approved by the Pope.

Gaudí’s cause is particularly notable because no modern architect has ever been canonized.

Efforts to recognize Gaudí’s spiritual contributions have been going on for years.

The Association for the Beatification of Antoni Gaudí has led the campaign.

In 2023, the Archbishop of Barcelona submitted the official positio—an argument outlining Gaudí’s case for sainthood—to the Vatican.

After the Vatican’s recent decree, Cardinal Juan Jose Omella called the development a “joy.”

“It is a recognition not only of his architectural work but something more important,” Omella said, according to the Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency. “He is saying you… amid life’s difficulties, amid work, amid pain, amid suffering, are destined to be saints.”

Gaudí died in 1926 after being struck by a tram while on his way to church.

At the time of his death, only 10-15% of the Sagrada Família had been completed.

The basilica was consecrated in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI and, along with several of Gaudí’s other buildings in Barcelona, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

While Gaudí devoted the final years of his life only to the construction of Sagrada Família, his influence can be seen throughout Barcelona in numerous other structures known for his striking style.

The next phase in the canonization process would be beatification, which requires at least one confirmed miracle.