Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens After Devastating Fire
PARIS (AP) — The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris reopened its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire in 2019 nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark. The celebration was marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath the cathedral’s soaring arches.
The ceremony, initially planned for the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to fierce December winds. The occasion lost none of its splendor, with choirs singing psalms and the cathedral’s mighty organ thundering to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies.
The event was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, First Lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The evening’s celebration underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as a symbol of spiritual and cultural significance, as well as a site of historical and architectural importance.
The restoration of Notre Dame is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious restoration timeline. The event also marks a welcome respite from Macron’s domestic political woes.
The cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel, tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, and the crowd inside fell into an expectant hush. The bell, which dates back to the 17th century, is one of the most iconic symbols of Notre Dame.
The reopening comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, the cathedral carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence. The rector of Notre Dame, Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, described the cathedral as a “magnificent symbol of unity” and a “sign of hope.”
As the cathedral’s greatest bell, Emmanuel, tolled, the sounds of history echoed through the vaulted ceilings and ancient stone walls. The sounds of human chatter, weeping, and laughter filled the cathedral once more, as Notre Dame returned to its role as a symbol of shared heritage and peace.
