Spain Rejoices In News of Papal Visit

(March 06, 2010) The news of Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Barcelona and Santiago de Compostela in November "fills the Church in Spain with joy," say the nation's bishops. The Episcopal conference of Spain expressed jubilation Wednesday after Cardinal Lluís Martínez Sistach of Barcelona and Archbishop Julián Barrio of Santiago de Compostela announced that Pope Benedict XVI would visit the two cities this November. The Pontiff will visit Santiago de Compostela on November 6 for the Jacobeo Holy Year, and go to Barcelona the next day to consecrate that city's Church of the Holy Family. The holy year in Santiago de Compostela celebrates St. James the Apostle, who is the patron of Spain. The apostle's tomb is located in the city's cathedral. The Church of the Holy Family, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is a religious monument that has been declared patrimony of humanity. Construction on the church began in 1882. While the structure is expected to be completed in 2026, a portion of the building's interior is set to be opened this September. According to Cardinal Martínez Sistach it is "the most important church, for its artistic significance, which has been built in the world." Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office and Vatican Radio, told reporters that the consecration of the altar of the Church of the Holy Family is "a significant act which also shows appreciation for the figure and art of this architect whose process of beatification is under way." He also referred to Santiago de Compostela as a "centre of great European significance." The November trip will be Benedict XVI's second to Spain, after the 2006 World Meeting of Families he attended in Valencia. He is scheduled to visit Spain for a third time in August 2011 for World Youth Day in Madrid.