Notre-Dame de Paris, one of France’s most iconic landmarks, has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019. World leaders attended its reopening ceremony, praising the bravery of firefighters and the efforts of those who rebuilt it.
Notre-Dame de Paris, one of the most iconic landmarks in France, has been restored to its former glory after a devastating fire in 2019. The cathedral’s reopening ceremony was attended by world leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The restoration process involved a massive effort from over 2,000 workers and artisans who worked tirelessly to rebuild the cathedral. The project cost €700m, with €150m remaining for further renovations. Norman Foster, a British architect, described the reaction of visitors as ‘the shock of the new,’ highlighting the contrast between the old and the newly restored.
The ceremony began with Archbishop Laurent Ulrich calling out to ‘our lady’ and knocking on the cathedral door three times. The doors opened to reveal the archbishop carrying a crozier made from a beam that survived the 2019 fire. Inside, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other dignitaries for a ceremony that included the singing of the Te Deum.
Macron delivered a speech expressing gratitude to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre-Dame. He praised the bravery of firefighters who stopped the flames from reaching the bell towers, which would have brought down the stone structure. The archbishop then proceeded with the religious ceremony, calling out ‘Awake the organ. Let God’s praise be heard.’
The inaugural mass on Sunday will be attended by royals, heads of state, and VIPs, along with 170 bishops from France and elsewhere. The central act of the mass will be the consecration of the new cathedral altar, followed by a ‘fraternal buffet’ to welcome some of the capital’s most disadvantaged.
A first mass open to the public will be held at 6:30 pm on Sunday. Worshippers must reserve places in advance, as there is a great thirst to welcome the whole world once again under the vaults of the cathedral.
