For 25 years, Lluís Bonet i Armengol led the Sagrada Familia as rector; he died in Barcelona at 95. His leadership from 1993 to 2018 helped shape the basilica’s modern identity as he oversaw impressive changes and guided the temple through a period of change. His ecclesiastical role differed from the architectural leadership responsible for directing construction.
Born in Barcelona in 1931, Bonet’s work and family ties connected him closely to the Sagrada Familia. His father, Lluís Bonet i Garí, was a disciple of Antoni Gaudí and continued work on the basilica after the Spanish Civil War, later becoming one of its head architects alongside Isidre Puig i Boada. The Sagrada Família’s institutional history also records a separate construction-director role held by Jordi Bonet i Armengol, who led the works from 1985 to 2012. During his tenure, computer-assisted tools helped interpret Gaudí’s models and plans. Jordi Faulí i Oller assumed full responsibility for the works in 2012.
Beyond his role at the Sagrada Familia, Bonet served for 14 years as parish priest at Sant Cristòfor in Terrassa’s Ca n’Anglada neighborhood. Local authorities, including Terrassa mayor Jordi Ballart, highlighted Bonet’s longstanding commitment to the community, describing him as a respected figure known for his dedication and service. His influence reached beyond the basilica, and many in the region looked to him as a reference point.
Bonet also drove the campaign to advance Antoni Gaudí’s cause for beatification, initiating the process in 2000. His efforts sought recognition of the architect’s spiritual and cultural contributions and linked Gaudí’s legacy to the Church’s mission. The cause reached a impressive Vatican key stage in April 2025, when Pope Francis authorized a decree recognizing Gaudí as venerable. Venerable is a formal stage in the Catholic canonization process, preceding possible beatification and canonization.
The Sagrada Familia remains a symbol of Barcelona and a major destination for visitors. Its ongoing construction and distinctive architecture continue to attract attention, as do other recent stories about the city’s landmarks, including the incident involving the public piano in Plaza Catalunya. Bonet’s death comes as the city’s cultural and religious heritage remains in focus, along with the people who have shaped its most impressive sites.
Construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 and is still under way. Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the temple as a minor basilica on November 7, 2010, while construction continued under Jordi Bonet i Armengol, who died in June 2022 before the building was completed. The UNESCO World Heritage listing includes the Nativity façade and crypt as part of the Works of Antoni Gaudí. The basilica’s religious role and ongoing architectural development reflect separate, enduring strands of the site’s history.
