Juan de la Rubia prepares the musical repertoire for the Pope's visit to Sagrada Família

The head organist confirms that traditional Catalan pieces like 'Virolai' will be performed during the Papal visit in June.

Generic image of the interior of the Sagrada Família basilica focusing on the organ and architecture.
IA

Generic image of the interior of the Sagrada Família basilica focusing on the organ and architecture.

The head organist of the Sagrada Família, Juan de la Rubia, is coordinating the musical program for the upcoming visit of Pope León XIV to Barcelona this June.

The visit, which marks the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus, will feature hundreds of singers from Catalonia's top choirs. The musical direction aims to honor Antoni Gaudí's original vision for the basilica, which placed human voices at the center of the acoustic experience.

"The idea is for the repertoire to include very recognizable works of the Catalan tradition, such as the Virolai, which the public can identify with."

Juan de la Rubia · Head Organist of the Sagrada Família
Juan de la Rubia, who also leads the Orquestra del Miracle in the Solsonès region, is currently performing a Venetian-inspired program in Lleida alongside violinist Adrián Linares, showcasing works by Vivaldi and 17th-century masters.
Having held his position at the basilica since 2010, De la Rubia emphasized the unique acoustic challenges of the space and its emotional significance, recalling the 2015 funeral for the Germanwings tragedy victims as a pivotal moment in his career.