Paris's Notre-Dame holds first mass since devastating blaze
First Mass since devastating April fire
The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris hosted its first mass on Saturday exactly two months after a devastating blaze, with priests and worshippers wearing hard hats to protect themselves against possible falling debris.
Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit led the service
Dressed in a white robe and helmet, Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit led the service, which was attended by just some 30 people — half of them clergy.
'Cathedral is a place of worship'
"The fire, which ravaged the building on April 15, has provoked a wave of emotion, not only for the community of believers. This cathedral is a place of worship, that's its true and unique purpose," Archbishop Aupetit said in his sermon.
A place of historical importance
The Catholic church is a world-famous landmark for the French capital, second only perhaps to the Eiffel Tower, and draws about 13 million visitors per year. It has been a centre of religious and cultural life there since it was completed around 1365.
Cathedral was scarred by fire on April 15, 2019
The roof of Notre-Dame caught fire on the evening of 15 April 2019. Burning for around 15 hours, the cathedral sustained serious damage, including the destruction of the flèche (the timber spire over the crossing) and most of the lead-covered wooden roof above the stone vaulted ceiling.
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