World leaders gather for reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
Al Jazeera
French President Emmanuel Macron thanks all who ‘saved, helped, rebuilt’ beloved cathedral after devastating 2019 fire.
World leaders have gathered in the French capital for the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral, five years after the UNESCO World Heritage site was severely damaged in a fire that drew a global outpouring of support.
Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich ceremonially opened the doors to Notre-Dame on Saturday evening at the start of a ceremony attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and other heads of state from around the world.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump, who was making his first overseas trip since winning last month’s US election, were among the many leaders in attendance.
“Tonight, I stand before you … to express the gratitude of the French nation – gratitude to all those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre-Dame,” Macron said during the ceremony.
“Tonight, the bells of Notre-Dame will ring again.”
