BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica became the world’s tallest church on Thursday after a part of its central tower was lifted into place.
The masterwork of architect Antoni Gaudí now rises to 162.91 meters (534 feet) above the city, the church said in a statement. That barely beats out the tip of the spire of Germany’s Ulmer Münster, which tops out at 161.53 (530 feet) meters.
The Ulmer Münster, a Gothic Lutheran church built between 1543 and 1890, has held the title of the world’s tallest church. That bragging right now gets passed to its Spanish rival. Even though the Sagrada Familia does not claim the title, the numbers are there to compare: it is now just over a meter (3.2 feet) taller than the church in southern Germany.
And the Sagrada Familia is still growing. The central “Tower of Jesus Christ” that is rising from the top of the church will reach 172 meters (564 feet) when it is completed in the coming months.
A crane placed the first part of the tower on top of the nave on Thursday morning.
The first stone of the Sagrada Familia was placed in 1882, but Gaudí never expected it to be completed in his lifetime. Only one of its multiple towers was finished when he died.
Work has sped up over recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction with people around the world enthralled by Gaudí's unique aesthetic that combines Catholic symbolism and organic forms.
The money from entrance fees is used to fund the ongoing construction. Last year, 4.9 million people paid to visit it, with 15% of those tourists coming from the United States.
Work on the church’s elaborate facades and decorating its interior will continue for several years. It is expected to be completely finished around a decade from now, church officials said earlier this year.
Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudí. The church will hold several events to celebrate his legacy, which includes other stunning buildings in Barcelona and other places in Spain.
A tourist takes photos at the Sagrada Familia basilica, which became the world's tallest church on Thursday after a section of its central tower was lifted into place, in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
View of the Sagrada Familia basilica, which became the world's tallest church on Thursday after a section of its central tower was lifted into place, in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Lucas Pettersson and Eddie Genborg each scored twice and Sweden beat the United States 6-3 on Wednesday night in the world junior hockey championship to complete group play unbeaten.
Casper Juustovaara opened the scoring in the first period on a deflection, and the Swedes led 5-1 in the second period in the Group A finale. Ivar Stenberg scored in the third, and Love Harenstam made 28 saves.
“We knew it would be hard game,” Swedish forward Milton Gastrin said. “They were better at the start, but we kept it together and took over a bit in the second and scored some goals. We played like a team the whole way, and I think we did that better than they did, which is probably why we won.”
In the quarterfinals Friday, Sweden will face Latvia, and the second-place Americans will play Finland, a 7-4 loser to Canada later Wednesday night in the Group B finale in Minneapolis. Canada will play Slovakia, and Czechia will meet Switzerland.
Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga scored for the United States. Brady Knowling stopped 23 shots in his tournament debut before giving way to Nick Kempf. The Americans lost for the first time in four games in the tournament.
“They’re a pretty good team and we didn’t play our best,” Reid said. “We’ll see them again, and we’ll get them back. I feel like we can play the same way, but we didn’t bring our best game tonight. We took a lot of undisciplined penalties that we didn’t need to take, but it’s a learning lesson and we’ll come back stronger.”
In the late game at the University of Minnesota, Cole Beaudoin had two goals and an assist for Canada.
“You watch this tournament, and you watch this game specifically on New Year’s Eve with your family, so means a lot,” Beaudoin said.
Brady Martin also scored twice, and Zayne Parekh had a goal and two assists. The 19-year-old Parekh has appeared in 12 games for the Calgary Flames.
Earlier, Switzerland beat Slovakia 3-2 to finish third in Group A, and Chechia topped Latvia 4-2 in Group B for its third straight win since an opening loss to Canada.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
Finland's Roope Vesterinen (10) skates with the puck while Canada's Gavin McKenna (9) and Zayne Parekh (19) defend during second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada goaltender Carter George (30) makes a save on Finland's Joona Saarelainen (12) during first period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Tij Iginla (11) celebrates his goal with teammates after scoring in second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action against Finland in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Cole Beaudoin (26) celebrates his goal with teammates after scoring in second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action against Finland in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Finland's Roope Vesterinen (10) skates with the puck while Canada's Gavin McKenna (9) and Zayne Parekh (19) defend during second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada goaltender Carter George (30) makes a save on Finland's Joona Saarelainen (12) during first period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Tij Iginla (11) celebrates his goal with teammates after scoring in second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action against Finland in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Cole Beaudoin (26) celebrates his goal with teammates after scoring in second period IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action against Finland in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
Team Czechia celebrates after defeating Latvia in IIHF World Junior Championship hockey action in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
