The restored Notre Dame’s Gothic spire should provide a dramatic backdrop for Donald Trump’s return to the geopolitical stage this weekend as the US president-elect prepares to make his first post-election visit to Europe to mingle with world leaders in an official re- opening ceremony in Paris on Saturday.
The medieval cathedral that was ravaged by fire in 2019has been reconstructed in a painstaking €700 million (£580 million) effort that took just five years, involving the application of carpentry methods dating back to the 13th century and enabled by donations from 150 countries.
The celebrations will last two days, starting with an address by the beleaguered French president, Emmanuel Macronin the limestone forecourt, followed by a liturgical ceremony inside the cathedral. The Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, will strike the heavy door of the 850-year-old building with his cross, accompanied by the singing of Psalm 121, to symbolize the cathedral’s awakening. The service continues with the “waking of the great organ” which is not heard by the fire, a solemn blessing and the singing of the Te Deum.
On Sunday, which marks the annual feast of the Immaculate Conception, the archbishop will hold an opening Mass at which Notre Dame’s rector said he would attend to those in need: “the poorest of Parisians.” The new high altar will be consecrated with a special ritual and the relics of five saints, including Saint Catherine Laboret and Saint Charles de Foucault, will be sealed in the altar.
But for Macron, what should have been a moment of triumph comes at a time of spiraling national crisis, just days after his prime minister was ousted in a no-confidence vote and amid fears of a looming budget crisis.
Compounding Macron’s misery, the European Commission on Friday finalized a long-delayed trade deal between the EU and South American bloc Mercosur, which France says it poses an “unacceptable” existential threat to its own farming industry.
Soon after, the office of Ursula von der Leyen, the committee’s chairwoman, said she did not plan to attend Saturday’s opening ceremony, where about 50 world leaders are expected, including outgoing US President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill. Pope Francis will also not attend, having somewhat surprisingly announced in September that he would instead make a historic visit to the French island of Corsica. Prince William will represent the United Kingdom.
Trump’s presence could also prompt Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the ceremony, who is keen to engage in dialogue with the US leader about the war-torn country’s future. On the eve of the US election, Trump promised that he would be able to resolve the conflict “within 24 hours” of taking office.
The Republican was serving his first term as president when the Notre Dame fire broke out on April 15, 2019. He commented on X, then known as Twitter: “So horrible to watch the huge fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out?”
Macron had an ambivalent relationship with Trump during the latter’s first term, with the French president initially aiming to court and flatter his American counterpart, despite their obvious political differences. He invited the 45th US president to the Bastille Day parade on the Champs-Élysées, prompting Trump to hail him as “one of your great presidents”.
But the cordiality began to fray in 2018, when Trump attacked Macron over his plans to build a European armydespite the fact that his own declared intention to withdraw defense commitments in Europe had prompted them. During his campaign this year, Trump mocked the French president’s accent while recounting one of their meetings.
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After the US election in November, Macron was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump, saying he was “ready to work together”.
Announcing his visit on Truth Social on Monday, Trump praised the French leader in unusually positive tones: “President Emmanuel Macron has ensured that Notre Dame will be restored to its greatest glory — and even beyond,” he said. “It’s going to be a very special day for everyone!”
The Notre Dame fire was watched on live television by millions of viewers around the world who watched as flames engulfed the buildingdestroying most of the wood and metal roof and tower. The exact cause of the fire was never determined, but investigators believe it was accidental, caused by either a discarded cigarette or a short circuit in the electrical system.
In a televised tour of the renovated interior on November 29, Macron promised: “The shock of the reopening will be as great as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.” He thanked the craftsmen and donors who had contributed to the restoration of a ” a national wound”.
Before the fire, about 12 million people a year visited Notre Dame. Visitor numbers are expected to be higher after the reopening. Although entry to the cathedral will remain free, visitors will need to book a special time slot through an online ticketing system.