Pope approves first steps toward beatification of architect Antoni Gaudí

Pope Francis has taken the first steps to beatify Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí in the Catholic Church, the mastermind behind the unfinished basilica of the Sagrada Família and the La Pedrera building, to mention but two.

Popularly known as 'God's architect,' Gaudí passed away in 1926 in Barcelona. The Catholic Church now considers him "venerable," which is the first step towards beatification and canonization. 

Sagrada Família was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.

A venerable is any Christian who has lived following the Christian lifestyle and is a candidate to be beatified. 

In 1926, when Gaudí passed away, ecclesiastical Manel Trens i Ribas nicknamed the architect 'God's architect' as the unfinished basilica is able to "welcome Beauty thanks to its beauty," a statement shared by Sagrada Família management reads.