Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopened its doors to the world this Saturday, five and a half years after its dramatic fire, following a spectacular restoration.
“Our Lady, open your doors!”, asked the archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrichthree times, knocking with his staff on the doors of the most famous gothic cathedral in the world, built more than 860 years ago, according to the AFP agency.
The cathedral’s choir responded from inside, inviting worshipers inside — although, due to the inclement weather, the approximately 1,500 guests, including the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trumpand from Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenskywere already inside the cathedral.
And, five and a half years after what gutted it, after a spectacular restoration admired by dozens of dignitaries, the cathedral reopened its doors.
The historic event was an opportunity for diplomacywith a previous meeting at the Élysée of the French president, Emmanuel Macron, Trump and Zelenskywhose country has been facing a Russian invasion for almost three years.
Christophe Petit Tesson / POOL / EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte and the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich at the inauguration of the new Notre Dame Cathedral
Ovation for firefighters and artisans
The reopening of the iconic cathedral comes after more than five years of spectacular reconstruction carried out by hundreds of artisans.
Firefighters and artisans were standing ovation as they parade between monarchs, presidents and heads of government, after the transmission of a video with the recap of his exploits.
Trump spoke with Macron on several occasions, within earshot of the American first lady, Jill Bidensitting next to her French counterpart, Brigitte Macron.
Also present were the prince Williamheir to the British crown, Prince Albert of Monaco, German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier and billionaire Elon Muskowner of X.
The ceremony, which alternated between speeches and musical moments, was a moment of relief for Macronwho has put all his personal efforts into the ambitious reconstruction, but is facing a serious political crisis.
“We rediscovered what great nations know how to do: achieve the impossible”, emphasized the center-right leader.
“We choose overcoming, will, the course of hope (…) And to achieve it, an unprecedented fraternity”, I add, at a time when he is looking for a new prime minister for , deposed by a surprising confluence of votes from left-wing and far-right parliamentarians.
Message from Pope Francis
Pope Francis was absent, although he sent a message for the opening of the ceremonies, read in the first moments, in which he expressed his hope that the reopening of Notre-Dame will guarantee that this new stage “can constitute a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France”.
Francisco stated his desire for the cathedral to continue to welcome visitors “generous and free”, at a time when in French government circles there is talk of charge an entry fee.
The pontiff believes that “there are places where it is more necessary for me to go to bring comfort,” the archbishop of Paris told AFP. The pope must participate within 10 days of a religious congress in Corsica.
The rebuilding of the cathedral was from all over the world, especially from the United States.
“It’s magnificent, and very personal for me,” Joe, a 65-year-old American visitor, told AFP near the church. “There are always things happening in Paris. But in ten years we will be able to say that we were here”, said Camille, a 21-year-old French student.
Completely rebuilt roof
The cathedral suffered a devastating fire on April 15, 2019. Images of the disaster went around the world.
This reopening is another milestone in its troubled historywith a completely rebuilt roof, a clean nave and transeptnew modern furniture and modular lighting. The organ, built three centuries ago, was dismantled, cleaned and reinstalled.
While the 60 meter long ship appears immaculately white for the faithful, the adjacent chapels have spectacular colors, thanks to the meticulous work of hundreds of artisans.
Broadcast live, the ceremony revealed all the furniture designed specifically for this new stage of the monumentlike the chairs and the modern baptistry at the entrance to the nave.
In the background, behind the altar, there is another bold innovation: the reliquary where the Crown of Thorns is kept, a large disc of golden crystals with a cobalt blue center.
After the speeches and a musical performance, Monsignor Ulrich proceeded to the “awakening” of the organwhich he invoked eight times, while four organists on keyboards improvised a musical response.
Then, they played the song “Magnificat” and a “tedeum” from the choir.
