Pope Francis has authorized a decree to declare Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí “venerable”, marking the first step towards his potential sainthood. The Vatican considers Gaudí, known as “God’s architect” for designing the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, as having exhibited “heroic virtues”. This move follows a decades-long campaign to recognize Gaudí’s contributions to Catholicism and his architectural work.
Gaudí, who was a devout Catholic, died in 1926 after being hit by a tram. The formal process for sainthood involves beatification, followed by formal canonization. Beatification requires proof of a miracle attributed to Gaudí posthumously. This step would be the next stage if the Vatican decides to proceed with his potential sainthood.
Gaudí’s legacy continues to attract visitors to Barcelona, where many of his notable works are situated. The Sagrada Familia basilica, which has been under construction since 1883 and remains unfinished, was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 and is now on Unesco’s World Heritage list.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5xepgypplo