St Gaudi, the church values all creators

Saints, especially Catholic ones, are typically known for their miracles, martyrdom, or an uncanny ability to resist earthly temptations. Antoni Gaudi, Spanish architect-designer, and most famously creator of Barcelona's stunning Sagrada Familia cathedral, is breaking the mould - literally. The Vatican has officially declared the Catalan architect 'venerable', putting him on the path to sainthood.

It's a rare feat for an artist to be considered for sainthood. Michelangelo? No. Da Vinci? With his sketches of 'wild' contraptions, nope. But Gaudi has been deemed worthy of divine recognition. After all, his magnum opus, Sagrada Familia, is still under construction more than 140 years after its inception, proving that patience is, indeed, a virtue. Yes, Gaudi's devotion to his craft was nothing short of religious. He spent the last 12 years of his life exclusively working on the basilica, fasting, praying and reportedly living like an ascetic. If sainthood requires miracles, his whimsical, gravity-defying designs are proof enough. But credit must be given to Pope Francis and the Catholic church. After all, awards are as much - if not more - about the institutions that recognise all kinds of greatness, and not just those being awarded. For an organised religion to fete a person of worldly creations deserves special kudos. St Gaudi will be chuffed.