Paris (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Notre-Dame de Paris held its first mass since the 2019 fire, with President Macron praising the swift restoration, joined by global leaders and dignitaries.
Notre-Dame de Paris carried out its first mass since the devastating fire in April 2019. This inaugural gathering took place in the presence of the President and assembled 150 bishops along with pastors from all 106 Parisian parishes.
During the ritual, Archbishop Ulrich of Paris blessed water and spread it on the congregation, the altar, and the pulpit, representing purification for their sacred use. At the start of the mass, Archbishop Ulrich welcomed the faithful “with intense emotion,” whether they were present in the cathedral or watching on screens.
“I stand before you to express the gratitude of the French nation, our gratitude to all those who saved, helped, and rebuilt the cathedral,”
President Emmanuel Macron stated, adding that with the swift renovation, France had
achieved the impossible.
Tonight we can together share joy and pride. Long live Notre Dame de Paris, long live the Republic and long live France.
Who were the notable attendees at the Notre Dame mass?
Minutes before, the cathedral’s bells rang out, and Macron greeted guests, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Getting Trump to observe the opening ceremony and organising a discussion between him and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Elysee Palace before the Notre Dame ceremony.
Trump shook hands with Britain’s Prince William and heads of state and government as he made his way to the front of the cathedral. He is seated next to Macron and Macron’s wife, Brigitte, in the front row. Jill Biden, the wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, is seated on the other side of Brigitte Macron.
Guests stood and praised as Zelenskiy walked into the cathedral. Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser in Trump’s transition team, also followed, as did France’s richest man, Bernard Arnault, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and ex-French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy. France’s Marseillaise national anthem rang out as the ceremony drew to a finish.
