Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris held its first mass on Sunday, marking the official return of the iconic landmark after its extensive five-year restoration following a near-catastrophic fire in 2019.
The cathedral, which was severely damaged in the blaze, has since been fully renovated, featuring a new roof, spire, and interior restoration.
The inaugural mass was led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, with more than 150 bishops and 100 priests from the region in attendance, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the service, Ulrich consecrated a new altar, replacing the one destroyed in the fire.
“Whether you are here in person or watching from a screen, including perhaps under the rain, I greet you with intense emotion,” Ulrich told the congregation, referencing the small crowd of rain-soaked worshippers outside the cathedral who were watching the ceremony on public screens.
Ulrich also prayed for France, acknowledging the nation’s ongoing political turmoil and expressing concern for its future.
“I prayed also for our country that is looking to the future with worry,” he added.
A second mass later in the day, at 6:30 p.m. (1730 GMT), was open to the public, with approximately 2,500 people attending after securing free tickets.
The cathedral is set to fully reopen to visitors on December 16 through an online reservation system.
On Saturday, during the official re-opening service, which was attended by world leaders including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, President Macron expressed his gratitude for the restoration efforts.
“We have rediscovered what great nations can do, achieve the impossible,” he remarked.
A powerful moment during the service occurred when firefighters, who played a crucial role in saving the cathedral during the 2019 fire, were applauded as they walked through the congregation.
The word “Merci” was projected onto the cathedral’s façade in tribute to their efforts.
The fire, which nearly caused the cathedral’s collapse, was eventually extinguished thanks to the firefighters’ quick response, using water from the nearby River Seine.
On Sunday, despite the cold and rain, groups of worshippers gathered outside Notre Dame, some huddling under umbrellas.
“Beyond the reconstruction, it’s beautiful because it shows that the church still has a role, discreet and small, but it still has a role to play in France,” said 21-year-old engineering student Jacques.
Monique Kashale, a 75-year-old visitor from the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressed her devotion, saying, “I am very cold but for Jesus Christ I can put up with it, for the Virgin Mary it is bearable.”
The restoration, which cost approximately 700 million euros ($750 million), was funded through donations and was completed within the five-year timeline, despite early predictions that it could take decades.
While most of the renovation work is complete, part of the cathedral’s lead roofing still needs finishing, and the statues of apostles and saints, which were removed before the fire for restoration, are expected to be reinstalled in 2025.
Notre Dame, which welcomed around 12 million visitors annually before the fire, expects to attract even more, with estimates of 14 to 15 million visitors post-reopening.
The exact cause of the 2019 fire remains unclear, though investigators suggest an electrical fault may have been responsible.
AFP
