French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to all those who helped save and rebuild the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. World leaders gathered in Paris for the reopening of the UNESCO World Heritage site, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump.
Macron thanked all those involved in the restoration efforts during the reopening ceremony, where Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich ceremonially opened the doors to the cathedral. The cathedral, which was close to collapse following the fire, has been meticulously restored with a new spire and rib vaulting, as well as other renovations to return it to its past glory.
The reopening comes as Macron faces a political crisis at home, with his prime minister recently pushed out. Macron has been using the Notre-Dame reopening as an opportunity for diplomacy, meeting with Zelenskyy and Trump before the ceremony. Zelenskyy described the meeting as good and productive, expressing a desire for a just peace and continued cooperation.
The reopening of Notre-Dame has been a symbol of hope and resilience, with Parisians and people around the world coming together to support the restoration of the beloved cathedral. Macron’s efforts to rebuild the cathedral and bring world leaders together for the reopening ceremony demonstrate his commitment to unity and diplomacy during a time of political uncertainty.
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