Pontiff to proclaim Spanish church a basilica

(July 24, 2010) In addition to blessing the famous Church of the Sagrada Familia, or the Holy Family, in Barcelona, Spain, Pope Benedict XVI will proclaim Antoni Gaudi's church a basilica. Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach, archbishop of Barcelona, made the declaration on Friday at a press conference held in the Gaudi Room of Barcelona's diocesan museum. The cardinal explained numerous details of the Pope's November visit to Barcelona, where, in addition to consecrating the church dedicated to the Holy Family, he will visit the school for the disabled of the diocesan foundation Niño Dios. The apostolic visit to Spain will begin on Saturday, Nov. 6, with the Pontiff's arrival in Santiago de Compostela for the Holy Year according to the program approved by the Vatican. There is a Holy Year in celebration of the apostle - known as a Jacobeo year - every time his July 25 feast day falls on a Sunday. The Holy Father will visit the Cathedral of Santiago, where he will preside over a prayer, and then celebrate an open air Mass in the adjacent Obradoiro Square. Later that evening he will proceed to Barcelona. The following morning, Sunday, the Pope will celebrate Mass in the Church of the Sagrada Familia, during which the rite of dedication of the altar will be held.