Overview
- The basilica reached 162.91 meters after a crane installed the base for the cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ.
- It edges past Germany’s Ulm Minster, which stands at about 161.5 meters, by just over a meter.
- The central tower is slated to reach roughly 172 meters once the full cross is in place, with an inauguration planned for June 2026.
- Construction continues on facades and interior decoration for years to come, with full completion expected within the next decade according to church officials.
- Funding comes largely from ticket sales, with about 4.9 million paid visitors last year, roughly 15% from the United States, as debates persist over a proposed main stairway that could require demolitions and relocations.