Spain's iconic Sagrada Família is the world's tallest church, surpassing centuries-old European landmarks and reshaping the global ranking of religious architecture.

According to data compiled from Britannica , the basilica's planned central tower will reach 172.5 metres, placing it ahead of Germany's Ulm Minster (161.5m) and Côte d'Ivoire's Basilica of Our Lady of Peace (158m).

The milestone marks the latest chapter in a project that has been under construction for more than 140 years and remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Barcelona and modern religious architecture.

Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882. The basilica's central tower, dedicated to Jesus Christ, is expected to elevate the structure to 172.5 metres, making it the tallest church building ever constructed.

The Sagrada Família Foundation has stated that the final height was intentionally designed to remain slightly lower than Barcelona's Montjuïc hill, reflecting Gaudí's belief that human creations should not surpass God's natural work.

The project received a major boost following the completion of the Tower of the Virgin Mary in 2021 and continues toward its final stages, despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe dominates the rankings

Europe remains home to most of the world's tallest churches, highlighting the continent's centuries-long influence on Christian architecture.

The current top ten includes:

Germany alone accounts for three of the ten tallest churches on the list.

Although surpassed in height by several structures, St. Peter's Basilica remains one of Christianity's most important sites.

Located in Vatican City, the Renaissance masterpiece was designed by architects including Michelangelo and serves as the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church. Vatican News describes it as one of the most visited religious sites in the world, attracting millions of pilgrims annually.

After a decade dominated by legends such as Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, the French Open Roland-Garros is increasingly being shaped by a younger generation eager to leave its mark on the Paris clay.

The latest chapter came in 2026 when Germany's Alexander Zverev captured his maiden Roland-Garros title, while Russia's Mirra Andreeva, aged just 19, claimed her first Grand Slam crown. Their victories extended a period of transition that has transformed one of tennis' most prestigious tournaments.

Few players have dominated a Grand Slam like Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros.

Between 2017 and 2022, Nadal won five French Open titles, adding to the legacy that earned him a record 14 crowns in Paris. His reign established Roland-Garros as one of the most remarkable success stories in sporting history .

The torch has since passed to fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who won back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. His 2025 triumph was particularly memorable, as he rallied from two sets down and saved three championship points to defeat Italy's Jannik Sinner in the longest French Open final on record.

Alcaraz's success has positioned him as the leading figure of the sport's next generation, drawing inevitable comparisons with Nadal while forging a rivalry with Sinner that many believe will define men's tennis for years to come.

While younger stars have emerged, Novak Djokovic remains a significant figure in Roland-Garros history.

The Serbian captured titles in 2016, 2021 and 2023, becoming one of the few players capable of interrupting Nadal's dominance on clay. His 2023 victory also helped cement his record-breaking Grand Slam legacy.

Together, Nadal, Djokovic and now Alcaraz have defined the men's competition over the past decade.

The women's draw has been shaped largely by Iga Świątek, whose dominance on clay has echoed Nadal's success.

The Polish star won Roland-Garros titles in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024, establishing herself as the leading force on the surface and one of the sport's most consistent performers. Her aggressive baseline game and movement have made her the player to beat in Paris for much of the decade.

Before Świątek's rise, champions included Garbiñe Muguruza, Jelena Ostapenko, Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty, each contributing to a highly competitive era in women's tennis.

The last two editions have produced first-time champions.

In 2025, American star Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Roland-Garros title and become the first American woman to lift the trophy since Serena Williams in 2015.

A year later, Mirra Andreeva went one step further by becoming the youngest French Open women's champion in more than three decades. Her victory highlighted the arrival of another major talent capable of challenging for Grand Slam titles across all surfaces.

Speaking on Monday, De la Espriella said he had received information from multiple sources suggesting Cepeda was preparing a self-inflicted attack as his campaign struggled ahead of the second round.

"Since last week, and through at least three high-level sources, we received information that Cepeda was plotting to stage a self-inflicted attack in the midst of his desperation over imminent defeat," De la Espriella said.

He claimed the alleged plan was designed to shift blame if violence were directed against him.

"What is Cepeda trying to do? Clear the path for the criminals who support him to execute their plans to assassinate me, and if they fail, blame me using that self-inflicted attack theory," he added.

Neither De la Espriella nor Cepeda presented public evidence to support their accusations. Cepeda had previously accused De la Espriella of preparing a staged attack before his rival responded with the same claim.

The exchange has added to concerns over political violence during Colombia's election campaign. Conservative senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay died in August 2025, two months after he was shot during a campaign event in Bogota.

De la Espriella also accused political figures of planning to buy votes and called on US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau to examine more than 20 individuals he named.

"There is an alliance with the same old corrupt politicians to buy votes," he alleged. "I remind them that the United States government is already monitoring visa revocations. They have their eyes on the corrupt."

The candidate also directed criticism at President Petro, claiming the president was refusing to accept the election outcome.

"Take note, my dear Undersecretary. Petro does not want to leave. Petro is acting irrationally. Have you already seen how he has been acting lately?" De la Espriella said.

"We saw it during this intense weekend in which he posted on social media without restraint. As I was telling you, the heir's campaign has lost momentum. That is why Petro is acting this way. That is why Cepeda is taking these erratic turns," he added.

De la Espriella secured 43.7 per cent of the vote in the first round on May 31, ahead of Cepeda's 40.9 per cent, forcing a runoff after neither candidate crossed the 50 per cent threshold.

Petro and Cepeda initially questioned the preliminary results, although Cepeda later accepted the outcome after his campaign failed to provide evidence that would overturn the count. International election observers said they found no irregularities that would undermine the vote.

The runoff election between De la Espriella and Cepeda is scheduled for June 21.