Notre Dame to Reopen Saturday After Devastating 2019 Fire
Notre Dame, the treasured Gothic gem in Paris, will officially reopen on Saturday, five years after a devastating fire ravaged the historic landmark. The cathedral’s roof caved in, strewing the stone floor with soot, and the cause of the blaze remains a mystery. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to rebuild the church within five years, and the ambitious project has finally come to fruition.
The guest list for the reopening ceremony is a long and illustrious one, with around 50 heads of state and government expected to attend. Notably, US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will be in attendance, marking his first overseas trip since being elected. However, Pope Francis will be absent, choosing to skip the event to avoid drawing attention away from the cathedral itself.
The ceremony will be conducted by Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich, who will strike the closed cathedral doors with his crozier, and then open the doors to allow the cathedral to “respond” by singing Psalm 121. The service will proceed in three parts, including the “awakening” of the great organ, the “chanting of the office,” and the final blessing and singing of Te Deum, a Latin hymn. The ceremony will be broadcast by France TV, chronicling the cathedral’s rebuilding.
The reopening of Notre Dame is a momentous occasion for France and the world, marking a major milestone in the restoration of a national treasure.