Barcelona, Spain, Jul 26, 2010 / 11:58 am
On November 7, the one-of-a-kind Church of the Holy Family, or "Sagrada Familia," will be consecrated by Pope Benedict and also designated as a basilica.
During a press conference regarding the details of the Pope’s visit to Spain, the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Lluis Martinez Sistach, said that the church will be designated as a basilica due to its artistic uniqueness.
The church has been under construction intermittently since the death of its designing architect, Antoni Gaudi, in 1926. Cardinal Sistach said on Feb. 17 that although it's still unfinished, both sides of the central nave will be covered by November so the church can be consecrated.
Only 7,000 people will be allowed inside the church for the dedication, although it has room for 10,000. Giant screens and thousands of chairs will be set up outside to allow up to 500,000 to follow the ceremony.