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  • February 18, 2025
Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity

Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity

PARIS – The iconic of France Notre Dame Cathedral will formally reopen its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating event fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old monument in 2019.

The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took almost two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for the French president Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline – and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes.

Under the luminous stained glass windows, many world leaders, dignitaries and worshipers will gather in the evening to mark the occasion – a rare moment of unity against the backdrop of global division and conflict.

President-elect Donald TrumpUS First Lady Jill Biden and Britain’s Prince William, along with dozens of state and government officials and personalities – a total of 1,500 guests – will attend the reopening celebration under the soaring Gothic arches of Notre Dame, led by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich.

Instead of starting from the cathedral forecourt as initially planned, and because of high winds forecast in Paris on Saturday evening, the French presidential palace and the Paris diocese said on Friday that the entire opening ceremony will take place at Notre Dame.

A sign of hope

The rector of Notre Dame, the Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, says the cathedral is “more than just a French monument” and a beloved treasure of the world’s cultural heritage.

“The cathedral is a beautiful symbol of unity,” said the rector. “A sign of hope, because what seemed impossible has become possible.”

Saturday’s events will combine solemn religious tradition with cultural grandeur, beginning with Ulrich’s symbolic reopening of Notre Dame’s great wooden doors.

By tapping it three times with a staff made from charred wood salvaged from the cathedral’s fire-ravaged roof, he will once again declare the cathedral open for worship.

Solemn rituals

Psalms, prayers and hymns will fill the cavernous space as the cathedral’s thundering organ, silenced since the fire, is brought back to life. The instrument with 8,000 pipes, meticulous restored and cleaned of toxic lead dustwill respond to the archbishop’s call, with four organists performing an improvised interplay of melodies.

Later in the evening, a star-studded concert will take center stage at the cathedral and pay tribute to its resurrection and to those who worked to restore it, with a universal message of harmony. Pianist Lang Lang, cellist Yo-Yo Ma and soprano Pretty Yende are among the world-renowned artists scheduled to perform.

On Sunday, Ulrich will lead the opening Mass and inaugurate the cathedral’s new altar, designed by contemporary artist Guillaume Bardet to replace the one that was crushed under the flaming spire in the fire.

Nearly 170 bishops from France and abroad will be present, in addition to priests from all 113 parishes of the Paris diocese.

Unity in times of global challenges

The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of great global unrest wars rage in Ukraine and the Middle East.

For Catholics, the rector of Notre Dame said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a motherly and embracing presence.”

“It is a beautiful symbol of unity, a sign of hope,” Dumas said.

The many dignitaries who come to Paris from Africa to the Middle East and the US underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace.

Macron’s political problems

The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled Macron. whose prime minister resigned this weekthrowing the country’s political scene into even more turmoil.

The French president, who has called the reopening of Notre Dame “a jolt of hope”, will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase the unity and resilience of France under his leadership.

The ambitious five-year recovery timeline, announced just a day after the 2019 fire, seemed unlikely to many.

Macron’s presidency is facing its gravest crisis following the fall of the government this week following a historic vote of no confidence that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier.

The vote followed months of political deadlock following snap elections. The opposition forces’ calls for Macron to resign are now growing louder. But he pledged in an address to the nation on Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he will appoint a new prime minister within days.

As France struggles with economic woes and mounting social unrest, the celebrations of Notre Dame’s rebirth stand in stark contrast to the crisis.

Tight security

Security will be tight throughout the weekend, following on from measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

The Île de la Cité – the small island in the River Seine where Notre Dame is located – will be closed to tourists and non-residents, and access will be limited to invited guests and those who live on the island.

Public viewing areas along the south bank of the Seine can accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can watch the festivities on large screens.

The Archbishop’s reopening of the cathedral doors will be followed by a liturgical service and the reawakening of the great organ, ending with the festive concert that will honor the cultural and spiritual significance of Notre Dame.

For many, the rebirth of Notre Dame is not just a French achievement, but a global one: after its reopening, the cathedral is expected to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire.

After the 2019 fire, nearly $1 billion in donations quickly poured in from around the world, a testament to Notre Dame’s universal appeal.

Associated Press religion reporting is supported by The AP’s partnership with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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