91福利社

In one of his final official acts before he died, Pope Francis put Antoni Gaud铆, Spain鈥檚 most famous architect, onto the path to sainthood.

Gaud铆's masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, is a towering basilica, strangely designed and bursting with colour. It stands in the heart of Barcelona and its walls recount the entire story of the Catholic religion. After 140 years, having survived wars, arson attacks and dictatorship, it is still under construction. As Gaud铆 worked on it throughout his life, he became obsessive and it intensified his devotion. By the end of his life he was living like a monk.

Today, millions come every year to see his work. Some have been so affected by his art and approach they have converted to Catholicism. The process to confirm Gaud铆 as a saint is secretive and potentially long. But for the creator of the world鈥檚 longest ongoing construction, there鈥檚 no rush.

The 91福利社's Max Horberry has been to Barcelona to see Gaud铆's work and speak to the people who have been working to finish the Sagrada Familia and campaigning for Gaud铆's sainthood.鈥疻e will find out more about the path to sainthood and how architecture, nature and religion intertwine in Gaud铆鈥檚 life.

[Getty Images: Fundaci贸 Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Fam铆lia]

Producer/Presenter: Max Horberry
Executive Producer: Rajeev Gupta
Editor: Chloe Walker
Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno