Barcelona is holding a papal staff made in Reus and inspired by Antoni Gaudí, after it arrived in the city on Monday under strict security. The piece is now at the Episcopal Palace, where it awaits presentation to Pope Leo XIV.
The staff was created by Tarragona artist and jeweller Joan Serramià as a tribute to Gaudí. It travelled from the Camp de Tarragona to central Barcelona protected and under constant supervision, with the vehicle parking at Plaça de Catalunya before the final transfer to the Episcopal Palace.
At the palace, the handover was received by Marc Labori, secretary to Cardinal Joan Josep Omella. The staff had been transported disassembled into four parts to make it easier to move and preserve, then carefully assembled once it reached Barcelona.
The piece is being kept with other institutional and personal gifts for Pope Leo XIV during his visit to the city. The area around the Episcopal Palace has seen visible controls and constant activity, with Vatican police, protocol officials and event staff entering and leaving the main gate.
The design includes a cross inspired by the Jesus tower of the Sagrada Família Basilica, organic forms linked to the Nativity Façade, stones from Mas de la Calderera, and woods sourced from five continents. The project began with faithful from Riudoms, Reus, Tarragona and the Sagrada Família parish community.
Attention now turns to 10 June, when Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to leave the Episcopal Palace for the Sagrada Família. If the planned protocol is followed, the staff could accompany him on the procession through Barcelona. For more local coverage, see our news page and our coverage of Barcelona developments.