US President-elect Donald Trump is set to visit Paris on December 7 to attend the reopening of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored following the devastating fire in April 2019.
The 13th-century cathedral, renowned as a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture, has undergone a meticulous five-year restoration. The reopening service will be presided over by the Archbishop of Paris and attended by notable figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump, donors, clergy, and representatives from all Parisian parishes.
Trump expressed his admiration for the restoration efforts in a post on Truth Social, stating:
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the magnificent and historic Notre Dame Cathedral. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring Notre Dame has been restored to its full glory. It will be a very special day for all!”
The reopening ceremonies will span December 7 and 8, with additional events planned through December 15. Highlights include two concerts featuring Jean-Sébastien Bach’s Magnificat on December 17 and 18.
During the reopening service, the Archbishop of Paris will perform a symbolic ritual by striking the cathedral’s closed door with his staff, prompting the singing of Psalm 121. The doors will open to signify the cathedral’s return to life, with the inaugural Mass and consecration of the high altar scheduled for December 8 at 10:30 AM.
The celebrations will see the participation of nearly 170 bishops, international clergy, and faithful from Parisian and Eastern Catholic communities, marking a momentous occasion in the global Catholic calendar.
This article has been sourced from syndicated content and edited for publication.
[…] a speech at Luanda’s National Museum of Slavery, a site that memorializes the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. The museum features a 17th-century chapel where enslaved Angolans were forcibly […]