Trump to Attend Reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Following 2019 Fire – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
5:54 PM – Tuesday, December 2, 2024
This weekend, 47th President-elect Donald Trump is set to travel internationally for the first time since the election to partake in the celebration for the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
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Following more than five years of restoration after the catastrophic fire in 2019 that nearly obliterated the iconic Paris structure, the cathedral is poised to reopen on Saturday. Approximately 50 global leaders are expected to join the high-security festivities scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
“It is a privilege to share that I will be journeying to Paris, France, on Saturday to be a part of the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, now fully restored after a devastating five years,” Trump announced on Truth Social. “President Emmanuel Macron has excelled in ensuring that Notre Dame has regained its full splendor, and even more so. It will be an extraordinary day for everyone!”
The immense fire that engulfed Notre Dame in 2019 during Trump’s presidency caused its spire to collapse and nearly ruined what is celebrated as one of the finest architectural wonders in the world, admired for its remarkable stained glass.
Despite a complex relationship, Emmanuel Macron commended Trump on his 2024 presidential election victory on November 6th.
“Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump,” Macron tweeted on November 6th. “I look forward to collaborating as we did for four years. With our respective convictions. With respect and aspirations. Towards greater peace and prosperity.”
Macron had earlier critiqued Trump for questioning NATO’s relevance and casting doubt on America’s commitment to the mutual-defense alliance, according to AP.
“Nobody needs NATO more than France… the U.S. benefits the least,” Trump stated in 2019.
Kicking off on Saturday, a lavish celebration will unfold over several days to commemorate Notre Dame’s reopening. The cathedral’s official website indicates that Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will conduct a reopening liturgy that afternoon, facilitating the unlocking of Notre Dame’s doors with his team by his side.
The cathedral’s grand organ will also be ceremonially reactivated by the archbishop. This massive instrument was covered in toxic dust following the fire that melted the church’s lead roofing, and its 8,000 pipes have been meticulously disassembled, cleaned, and adjusted.
Macron is expected to be in attendance and will reportedly give a speech to the distinguished guests.
The event’s broadcaster, France Télévisions, has revealed that following the liturgy, a concert will take place on Saturday night featuring performances by opera singers Pretty Yende from South Africa and Julie Fuchs from France, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Parisian cellist Yo-Yo Ma, singer Angelique Kidjo from Benin, and Lebanese performer Hiba Tawaji, among others.
The consecration of the new altar and inaugural Mass will be conducted by the Paris archbishop on Sunday morning.
Clerics from all 106 parishes in the Paris diocese will participate in the ceremonies, accompanied by over 170 bishops from France and other countries. After the Mass, a “fraternal buffet” will be offered to those in need.
During the festivities, tourists will not be permitted entry to the Ile de la Cité, which houses the cathedral at the Seine’s center. A public viewing area capable of accommodating 40,000 people will be established along the southern bank of the Seine.
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