Spain’s king and queen and its prime minister have attended a solemn Mass at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica for the victims of the terror attacks that killed 14 people and wounded more than 120.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, Catalan regional President Carles Puigdemont and other officials, attended the Mass celebrated Sunday by the archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella.
On Saturday, Spain’s royals visited injured attack victims in local hospitals, placed a wreath and candles at the attack site on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas promenade and signed a book of condolences at Barcelona city hall.
Spanish King Felipe VI (R), Queen Letizia (C) and president of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during a mass for the victims of the Barcelona terror attack at the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona
President of the Generalitat of Catalonia Carles Puigdemont and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy also attended the service
grief-stricken Barcelona prepared today to commemorate victims of two devastating terror attacks at a mass in the city’s Sagrada Familia church
At Sunday’s mass, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella called for Spain to unite to work for a more peaceful world following the deadly dual vehicle attacks claimed by Islamic extremists
On Saturday, Spain’s royals (pictured above) visited injured attack victims in local hospitals, placed a wreath and candles at the attack site on Barcelona’s Las Ramblas promenade and signed a book of condolences at Barcelona city hall
Thursday’s van attack in Barcelona killed 13 people. Hours later, a car attack in the seaside town of Cambrils killed another person early Friday. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
At Sunday’s mass, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella called for Spain to unite to work for a more peaceful world following the deadly dual vehicle attacks claimed by Islamic extremists.
He welcomed families of the victims and representatives of Catalonia’s Muslim community to the Mass Sunday at the city’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica.
In his homily, he said the presence of so many people was a ‘beautiful mosaic’ of unity to work for a common objective of ‘peace, respect, fraternal coexistence and love.’
Spain’s King Felipe VI and Spain’s Queen Letizia and Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stand at Sunday’s mass
Spain’s King Felipe VI puts a hand over his chest as he walks through Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica on Sunday morning
Hundreds of people gathered in the Sagrada Familia basilica for Sunday’s mass. Among them were family members of the victims
Saturday’s Mass was held at Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, the unfinished Art Nouveau masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudi that is a symbol of European Christianity. With its soaring towers, intricate sculptures and stained glass windows, the “Holy Family” church is dedicated to the Christian concept of family and faith. It was begun in 1882 and is not expected to be finished until 2026
He read aloud a telegram of condolences sent by Pope Francis, who called the attacks a ‘cruel terrorist act’ and a ‘grave offense to God.’
Saturday’s Mass was held at Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia basilica, the unfinished Art Nouveau masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudi that is a symbol of European Christianity.
With its soaring towers, intricate sculptures and stained glass windows, the “Holy Family” church is dedicated to the Christian concept of family and faith. It was begun in 1882 and is not expected to be finished until 2026.
When Pope Benedict XVI consecrated it in 2010, he declared it “a magnificent achievement of engineering, art and faith’.
Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, King Felipe of Spain and his wife Letizia are seen leaving after the High mass in the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (L) and President of Catalonia Carles Puigdemon are seen outside the Sagrada Familia
Spain’s King Felipe VI (center right) and Spain’s Queen Letizia (center) speak with Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Joan Josep Omella as they leave the mass