Pope Francis has declared Antoni Gaudí, the famed architect behind Barcelona's Sagrada Familia, "venerable," a significant step towards sainthood. This follows a decades-long campaign and recognizes Gaudí's "heroic virtues." The next step involves beatification, requiring evidence of a post-mortem miracle. The Archbishop of Barcelona expressed joy, highlighting Gaudí's life as an example of faith amidst challenges. Gaudí, a devout Catholic, died in 1926.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.