Parishioners from Riudoms, Reus, and Tarragona, along with parishioners from the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, are promoting the creation of a papal ferula inspired by Gaudí for Pope Leo XIV. The initiative is coordinated by the Associació Amics de Gaudí and by the sculptor and jeweler from Tarragona, Joan Serramià, author of the design.
The project places its origin in the closest environment to Antoni Gaudí, but its delivery now depends on the go-ahead from the Vatican. While the promoters prepare a patronage campaign to finance the piece, they have intensified contacts with the environment of Cardinal Joan Josep Omella to study a possible official delivery to the pontiff.
Joan Serramià designed a splint with silver, ceramic, and woods from five continents
The piece is articulated in four parts and takes as a reference elements of the Barcelona basilica. The upper cross will be made of white acrylic ceramic and will imitate the tower of Jesus of the Sagrada Familia.
Below will go an intermediate structure of 925 silver with organic shapes and four natural stones from Mas de la Calderera. The set also incorporates a central shaft made with five woods from the five continents.
In that central body appear olive tree from Camp de Tarragona, ebony, coral wood, boro coconut and Australian cypress. The base will also be of 925 silver and will reproduce a terrestrial turtle from the Nativity facade.
Promoters seek patronage while awaiting Vatican authorization
The Associació Amics de Gaudí and the promoters of the proposal place the origin of the idea in what they define as the "Gaudinian kilometer zero". The plan is to launch a patronage campaign aimed at citizens, companies, and institutions to finance the creation of the splint.
The project has the knowledge of the archdioceses of Tarragona and Barcelona. In parallel, contacts with Omella's circle have intensified to analyze the formula for an eventual official handover to the pope.
If the Vatican authorizes its use, Pope Leo XIV could use the ferula on June 10 during the solemn mass scheduled in the Sagrada Familia basilica.