On Saturday, the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, officially reopened the famous Notre Dame Cathedral, which was badly damaged by a fire in 2019. He made a special entrance by knocking on the doors, wearing beautiful new vestments and holding a staff made from a beam that survived the fire. Inside, hundreds of important guests gathered to celebrate the restoration of this incredible 12th-century building.
Among the guests were US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who enjoyed the newly cleaned walls and modern lighting that has been added. Outside, many Parisians and tourists stood in the rain and wind to see this beloved monument come back to life. “It looks even more beautiful, especially with the restored spire,” said Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southern France.
Rebuilding Notre Dame has cost around 700 million euros (about 750 million dollars), funded by donations. The project was completed in just five years, even with challenges like lead pollution and the COVID-19 pandemic. Philippe Jost, who took over the project last year, expressed pride in the successful restoration, calling it a great achievement for all of France.
The reopening ceremony included prayers, organ music, and songs from the cathedral’s choir. There was supposed to be a public concert featuring talented musicians Lang Lang and possibly Pharrell Williams, but it was completed the night before due to bad weather.
President Macron celebrated Notre Dame’s reopening as an example of French creativity and determination, especially during tough times. He hopes this event will bring a sense of pride and togetherness to France, similar to what the Olympics did earlier this year.
Macron successfully invited Trump for his first trip abroad after being re-elected, along with 40 other leaders. They discussed important issues, including military support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. While Pope Francis sent a message to be read at the event, he was not there in person.
The cause of the 2019 fire is still a mystery, but officials believe it may have been an accident, like an electrical fault. On Sunday, the first mass since the fire will happen at 10:30 AM, with many bishops and priests attending, followed by another service in the evening open to the public.
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