Trump Joins World Leaders in Paris for the Grand Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral

US President-elect Donald Trump arrived in Paris to participate in the highly anticipated reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, a symbol of resilience and creativity. Five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed its roof and spire, the cathedral’s stunning restoration has been celebrated as a remarkable achievement. Trump is among dozens of world leaders in attendance, including French President Emmanuel Macron, who has hailed the restoration as a triumph of French ingenuity......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>

Macron, who has faced political turmoil and a budget crisis back home, saw the reopening as a chance to unite the country during a time of strife. “This is proof that we can accomplish the impossible,” he said in a televised address, linking the restoration to the success of the Paris Olympics earlier this year. “The whole world has admired us for it.”

The cathedral’s journey to restoration came with significant challenges. The original fire, which ravaged Notre Dame in 2019, sparked global outcry, with many fearing the loss of a national treasure. Despite these obstacles—ranging from lead contamination to the COVID-19 pandemic—the cathedral’s reconstruction was completed within five years, a timeline that seemed nearly impossible when the project began.

The restoration effort, costing approximately 700 million euros ($750 million), was funded through donations. Workers faced difficult conditions, including the tragic death of the project’s overseeing architect during a hiking accident last year. However, the cathedral’s doors are now open again, its limestone walls cleaned, the wooden roof restored with ancient oak, and the interior freshly appointed.

Trump’s presence at the reopening is a political coup for Macron. The US president-elect, who traveled on a private plane and landed at Orly airport early Saturday, praised Macron for his “wonderful job” in ensuring the cathedral’s full restoration. While Macron will hold talks with Trump, he may also meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is seeking his first face-to-face meeting with Trump to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.

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The event, which will feature a high-profile service on Saturday evening, will see prominent figures from around the world gather at Notre Dame. US First Lady Jill Biden will represent President Joe Biden, and Prince William of Britain will also be in attendance. However, one notable absence will be Pope Francis, who chose not to attend, instead sending a message that will be read to the congregation during the service.

For many, the sight of Notre Dame’s restoration is a reminder of the collective grief felt when the cathedral was engulfed in flames. Fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who designed new colorful vestments for clergy, reflected on the global sadness following the fire, stating, “We felt a sense of universal sadness when Notre Dame burned.”

The service will be filled with prayer, music, and hymns from the cathedral’s choir, followed by a televised concert featuring performances by renowned artists like Lang Lang and Pretty Yende. Harsh weather conditions forced a shift in the schedule, with Storm Darragh causing high winds and prompting the relocation of Macron’s speech and the pre-recording of the concert.

On Sunday, two services will follow, including a mass attended by over 170 bishops and 100 Parisian priests, before the cathedral opens to the public once more.