VATICAN CITY (CNS) — During his November visit to the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona, Spain, Pope Benedict XVI plans to preside over the consecration of Barcelona’s still unfinished yet most famous church, La Sagrada Familia. The pope is also scheduled to meet with Spanish bishops, the king and queen of Spain, and the prince and princess of Asturias during the Nov. 6-7 visit.
He will visit the northern Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, which became an important pilgrim destination in the Middle Ages. Tradition holds that the remains of the apostle St. James the Greater are buried there.
The pope’s visit coincides with the Santiago de Compostela Holy Year, which occurs every time St. James’ feast day, July 25, falls on a Sunday.
In Barcelona, he will preside over the consecration of La Sagrada Familia, the unfinished masterpiece by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Construction of the church began in 1882 and it is expected to be completed by 2025.