Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted its first Christmas mass since it was reopened. 



Notre Dame Celebrates Christmas Masses For First Time After Restoration

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris hosted its first Christmas mass since it was reopened.

In a historic moment in Paris, the revered Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ, has returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral. The sacred relic was reinstated five years after being saved from the flames of the devastating 2019 fire. Its return marks a major milestone in the cathedral's restoration efforts. The Crown of Thorns, encased in a golden tube, was brought back to its historic home during a solemn ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of Paris and attended by esteemed members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Watch in for more details!

GRAVITAS: Notre Dame Reunited With Priceless Relic

In a historic moment in Paris, the revered Crown of Thorns, believed to have been worn by Jesus Christ, has returned to Notre-Dame Cathedral. The sacred relic was reinstated five years after being saved from the flames of the devastating 2019 fire. Its return marks a major milestone in the cathedral's restoration efforts. The Crown of Thorns, encased in a golden tube, was brought back to its historic home during a solemn ceremony presided over by the Archbishop of Paris and attended by esteemed members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Watch in for more details!



Notre Dame Cathedral is about to reopen to the world on Saturday (Dec 7), five years after it was burnt in a devastating fire in 2019. Global leaders have arrived ahead of the opening ceremony, and have been holding meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the event.&nbsp;

The iconic 12th-century cathedral's reopening will be witnessed by world leaders, including United States President-elect Donald Trump, Prince of Wales, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US First Lady Jill Biden, and the King and Queen of Belgium.&nbsp;

After holding a trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelensky, Macron has now arrived at Notre Dame.&nbsp;

As he arrived, thousands of people were seen cheering for him outside the cathedral.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-reopening-to-be-held-indoors-due-to-weather-782218">Also read:&nbsp;Notre Dame reopening to be held indoors due to inclement weather</a>

French President Macron will begin the proceedings with a speech outside the cathedral before moving into Notre Dame for the main ceremony.&nbsp;

As the guests continue to arrive, Macron has been receiving them under an outdoor tent.&nbsp;

<h2>Macron meets Trump</h2>

Ahead of the Notre Dame ceremony, the US President-elect met with the French president at the Élysée Palace and then the duo headed to the Île de la Cité for the reopening ceremony.

Watch |&nbsp;Notre-Dame Reopens: 35 World Leaders To Attend Ceremony

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Ukrainian President Zelensky also joined Trump and Macron.&nbsp;

Trump said he and Macron had enjoyed "really great success" working together during his first term in office, adding, "It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And we'll be talking about that."

<h2>The 2019 incident</h2>

Notre Dame was burnt in April 2019, damaging the cathedral's roof and its Gothic spire. The blaze also&nbsp;left behind rubble and debris.&nbsp;

Jean-Louis Georgelin, a former French army general, was in charge of the project for managing the restoration work with the €846 million worth of funds&nbsp;raised. He died in August 2023 and was succeeded by civil servant Philippe Jost.&nbsp;

Nearly 2,000 tradespeople worked on reconstructing the cathedral.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Notre Dame Cathedral is about to reopen to the world on Saturday (Dec 7), five years after it was burnt in a devastating fire in 2019. Global leaders have arrived ahead of the opening ceremony, and have been holding meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the event.

Notre Dame Cathedral is about to reopen to the world on Saturday (Dec 7), five years after it was burnt in a devastating fire in 2019. Global leaders have arrived ahead of the opening ceremony, and have been holding meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the event. The iconic 12th-century cathedral's reopening will be witnessed by world leaders, including United States President-elect Donald Trump, Prince of Wales, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, US First Lady Jill Biden, and the King and Queen of Belgium. After holding a trilateral meeting with Trump and Zelensky, Macron has now arrived at Notre Dame. As he arrived, thousands of people were seen cheering for him outside the cathedral. Also read: Notre Dame reopening to be held indoors due to inclement weather French President Macron will begin the proceedings with a speech outside the cathedral before moving into Notre Dame for the main ceremony. As the guests continue to arrive, Macron has been receiving them under an outdoor tent. Macron meets Trump Ahead of the Notre Dame ceremony, the US President-elect met with the French president at the Élysée Palace and then the duo headed to the Île de la Cité for the reopening ceremony. Watch | Notre-Dame Reopens: 35 World Leaders To Attend Ceremony × Ukrainian President Zelensky also joined Trump and Macron. Trump said he and Macron had enjoyed "really great success" working together during his first term in office, adding, "It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now. And we'll be talking about that." The 2019 incident Notre Dame was burnt in April 2019, damaging the cathedral's roof and its Gothic spire. The blaze also left behind rubble and debris. Jean-Louis Georgelin, a former French army general, was in charge of the project for managing the restoration work with the €846 million worth of funds raised. He died in August 2023 and was succeeded by civil servant Philippe Jost. Nearly 2,000 tradespeople worked on reconstructing the cathedral. (With inputs from agencies)

Notre Dame reopens after 5 years, French president Macron arrives at Cathedral for ceremony

France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral is formally reopening its doors on Saturday for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. Watch for more details!

Notre-Dame Restoration Completed With Historic Detail

Notre Dame Cathedral has been unveiled anew after more than five years of reconstruction following its 2019 fire.

Notre Dame Cathedral Unveils Interiors After 2019 Inferno

The bells of Notre Dame tolled on Friday for the first time since Paris's beloved cathedral was ravaged by flames in 2019. The famous monument is set to reopen its doors to the public on December 8.

Notre Dame Restored After 5 Years of Restoration

German police officials on Saturday (Dec 23) said that they increased security at Cologne Cathedral after there were indications of attacks planned for New Year's Eve.

The move was also taken after the government issued warnings over the rising threat of Islamist violence.

The police officials released a statement saying that they would take the help of tracker dogs to keep a check on the cathedral after evening mass and then close it off.&nbsp;

On Christmas Eve, they would carry out a security check on all visitors and recommended they get to services early.

The police further said that they could not elaborate on the details as the probe was ongoing.

Earlier, security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain had received indications that Islamist groups were planning to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year festivities, news agency Reuters reported citing German newspaper Bild.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/303-indians-include-11-unaccompanied-minors-as-france-continues-human-trafficking-probe-672998">11 minors among 303 Indian passengers on flight grounded by France: Report</a>

<h2>Rising threat of Islamist violence</h2>

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, in recent weeks, also warned of the growing threat of Islamist violence in Germany and elsewhere in Europe as the Israel-Hamas war increases the risk of radicalisation.

Austrian police released a statement saying that they were heightening security in churches and Christmas markets given a heightened state of alert.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-catholic-church-says-document-on-blessing-same-sex-couples-does-not-apply-673137">Ukrainian Catholic church says Vatican document on blessing same sex couples does not apply</a>

"Given that terrorist actors throughout Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events, especially around Dec. 24, the security authorities have taken the corresponding protection measures in public spaces," the police said.

Earlier this month, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced the reinforcement of security measures from Dec 18 for the Christmas holidays, with the anti-terrorism alert at level 4 or "high risk".

(With inputs from agencies)

German police officials on Saturday (Dec 23) said that they increased security at Cologne Cathedral after there were indications of attacks planned for New Year's Eve.

German police officials on Saturday (Dec 23) said that they increased security at Cologne Cathedral after there were indications of attacks planned for New Year's Eve. The move was also taken after the government issued warnings over the rising threat of Islamist violence. The police officials released a statement saying that they would take the help of tracker dogs to keep a check on the cathedral after evening mass and then close it off. On Christmas Eve, they would carry out a security check on all visitors and recommended they get to services early. The police further said that they could not elaborate on the details as the probe was ongoing. Earlier, security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain had received indications that Islamist groups were planning to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year festivities, news agency Reuters reported citing German newspaper Bild. Also read: 11 minors among 303 Indian passengers on flight grounded by France: Report Rising threat of Islamist violence Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, in recent weeks, also warned of the growing threat of Islamist violence in Germany and elsewhere in Europe as the Israel-Hamas war increases the risk of radicalisation. Austrian police released a statement saying that they were heightening security in churches and Christmas markets given a heightened state of alert. Also read: Ukrainian Catholic church says Vatican document on blessing same sex couples does not apply "Given that terrorist actors throughout Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events, especially around Dec. 24, the security authorities have taken the corresponding protection measures in public spaces," the police said. Earlier this month, the Spanish Interior Ministry announced the reinforcement of security measures from Dec 18 for the Christmas holidays, with the anti-terrorism alert at level 4 or "high risk". (With inputs from agencies)

German police increase security at Cologne Cathedral for Christmas celebrations amid attack threat

In a significant development for the restoration of the famous Paris monument, Notre Dame Cathedral raised its rooster on Saturday. Beyond merely serving as a weathervane atop the cathedral spire, the crane-installed new golden rooster is redesigned as a spectacular phoenix with licking, flamed feathers. It represents resiliency in the face of devastation from the terrible fire in April 2019; restoration officials also disclosed that an anti-fire misting system is being installed beneath the cathedral's roof.

Notre-Dame Cathedral spire gets new rooster weathervane ahead of 2024 reopening

A Cathedral in northern Spain on Friday (March 24) held a mass to recognise and apologise to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated in the diocese. The service held in Bilbao Cathedral was one of the first services of its kind in Spain. Spain has been confronting cases of sexual abuse since El Pais newspaper reported in December 2021 more than 1,200 alleged cases of abuse by clergy spanning seven decades.

"The act was profound and silent. No need for words, the people who were there know why they were there," Lopez told Reuters.

"This was necessary for the church and for victims."

Another victim, Joseba Imanol Ibarra said that such a mass might not have been held in other parts of Spain.

"We were lucky this happened in this diocese. If this happened in Valladolid, in Madrid or in any other place they would not have listened to us," he told Reuters after the service.

Bishop of Bilbao Joseba Segura, recognised the abuses committed by priests and asked for forgiveness.&nbsp;

"We want to share with them and listen to them," he told the congregation.

Some of the victims placed candles on the altar during the service. A plaque on the cathedral wall read: "In memory of all the people who were victims of sex abuse in our Church."

Spain's parliament has tasked the country's ombudsman with investigating sexual abuse by members of the Spanish Catholic Church

The ombudsman, Angel Gabilondo, said in a statement on Sept. 13 that his office had already assisted 201 victims, mostly men, in the first two months of the probe, whose conclusions will be presented to parliament.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Cathedral in northern Spain on Friday (March 24) held a mass to recognise and apologise to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated in the diocese. The service held in Bilbao Cathedral was one of the first services of its kind in Spain.

A Cathedral in northern Spain on Friday (March 24) held a mass to recognise and apologise to victims of sexual abuse perpetrated in the diocese. The service held in Bilbao Cathedral was one of the first services of its kind in Spain. Spain has been confronting cases of sexual abuse since El Pais newspaper reported in December 2021 more than 1,200 alleged cases of abuse by clergy spanning seven decades. "The act was profound and silent. No need for words, the people who were there know why they were there," Lopez told Reuters. "This was necessary for the church and for victims." Another victim, Joseba Imanol Ibarra said that such a mass might not have been held in other parts of Spain. "We were lucky this happened in this diocese. If this happened in Valladolid, in Madrid or in any other place they would not have listened to us," he told Reuters after the service. Bishop of Bilbao Joseba Segura, recognised the abuses committed by priests and asked for forgiveness. "We want to share with them and listen to them," he told the congregation. Some of the victims placed candles on the altar during the service. A plaque on the cathedral wall read: "In memory of all the people who were victims of sex abuse in our Church." Spain's parliament has tasked the country's ombudsman with investigating sexual abuse by members of the Spanish Catholic Church The ombudsman, Angel Gabilondo, said in a statement on Sept. 13 that his office had already assisted 201 victims, mostly men, in the first two months of the probe, whose conclusions will be presented to parliament. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Spain: Cathedral holds mass for victims of sex abuse by priests

A British tourist has sparked outrage after she was caught staging an impromptu naked photoshoot on the steps of the cathedral of Amalfi. The incident took place on Monday morning and was caught on camera by locals who were appalled and outraged when they saw a woman posing with just a red veil of fabric on the steps, in front of the doors to the cathedral, said a report by CNN.&nbsp;

The local news media,&nbsp;which also posted the video reported there were three people at the time and they had not sought prior permission for the photoshoot additionally, they were caught leaving the city. The video shows the woman arrived fully clothed at the church and started climbing the steps to strip off her clothing.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coffins-left-hanging-precariously-after-burial-structure-collapse-in-italy-526652">Coffins left 'hanging' precariously, after burial structure collapse in Italy</a>

The Amalfi police reportedly said that the trio were British including a male photographer, a model and an assistant. They told the police it was not for publicity but were merely making a memory of their trip to the city, said the report. Subsequently, the three were charged with “obscene acts in a public place” and the police referred them to the public prosecutor’s office.&nbsp;

The cathedral is in Italy’s Amalfi Coast and dates back to the ninth century and was dedicated to the apostle St. Andrew, the doors of which were cast in 1067 in the-then Constantinople (capital of the Roman empire). The photoshoot reportedly also took place beneath a mosaic of St. Andrew whose relics have been housed at the cathedral since 1206.&nbsp;

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

A British tourist has sparked outrage after she was caught staging an impromptu naked photoshoot on the steps of the cathedral of Amalfi. The incident took place on Monday morning and was caught on camera by locals who were appalled and outraged when they saw a woman posing with just a red veil of fabric on the steps, in front of the doors to the cathedral, said a report by CNN.

A British tourist has sparked outrage after she was caught staging an impromptu naked photoshoot on the steps of the cathedral of Amalfi. The incident took place on Monday morning and was caught on camera by locals who were appalled and outraged when they saw a woman posing with just a red veil of fabric on the steps, in front of the doors to the cathedral, said a report by CNN. The local news media, which also posted the video reported there were three people at the time and they had not sought prior permission for the photoshoot additionally, they were caught leaving the city. The video shows the woman arrived fully clothed at the church and started climbing the steps to strip off her clothing. ALSO READ: Coffins left 'hanging' precariously, after burial structure collapse in Italy The Amalfi police reportedly said that the trio were British including a male photographer, a model and an assistant. They told the police it was not for publicity but were merely making a memory of their trip to the city, said the report. Subsequently, the three were charged with “obscene acts in a public place” and the police referred them to the public prosecutor’s office. The cathedral is in Italy’s Amalfi Coast and dates back to the ninth century and was dedicated to the apostle St. Andrew, the doors of which were cast in 1067 in the-then Constantinople (capital of the Roman empire). The photoshoot reportedly also took place beneath a mosaic of St. Andrew whose relics have been housed at the cathedral since 1206. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Italy: Tourist’s semi-nude photoshoot on the steps of cathedral sparks outrage, says report

The Notre Dame is a medieval cathedral that is currently being renovated after an enormous fire burnt and damaged a large part of this monument but is there a different way to still visit the cathedral and to witness the brilliant architecture that has set Notre Dame apart from all other cathedrals.

Explore the Notre Dame cathedral in Virtual Reality

The word 'time capsule' has largely come to be associated with science fiction. But the discovery of a 'time capsule' at a magnificent Hungarian cathedral has generated renewed interest. It has come to light that the cross atop Esztergom Cathedral hid a 176-year-old 'time capsule'.

The discovery was made during renovation work. The 'time capsule' is a sealed copper container inside the cross on the 100-metre dome. This dome, which is the highest in the country, survived even the bombing that took place during Second World War.

The copper container was damaged by shrapnel but when historians opened it, they discovered documents in near-perfect condition relating to the cathedral's construction.&nbsp;

The church was built from 1822 onwards and Csaba Torok, director of the Cathedral's Treasury, said the papers gave a rare glimpse of the time when the church was built from 1822 onwards.

The cylindrical capsule was placed in the cross in 1845 by Archbishop Jozsef Kopacsy and chief architect Jozsef Hild, who took over after his predecessor was murdered.

"Archbishop Kopacsy knew he would not be able to complete the construction in his lifetime, so when the cross was finished he wanted to leave inside an imprint of the memory of the builders and of that era," Torok said.

The best moment was when they found the documents: one depicting milestones in the construction and a book containing names of clergymen and parishes.

"These were last touched by human hands when they were placed there 176 years ago, so somehow we felt a sudden connection in time," he said.

"Unfortunately, we did not find any coins from the period in the capsule so there was nothing to help pay for the renovation," he added, smiling.

The cathedral was built on Castle Hill, where a church was first founded over 1000 years ago. &nbsp;Its iron dome was built in Vienna and carried in sections down the Danube on barges.

For its consecration in 1856, Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt composed a mass. But the cathedral was still not finished, with the main portico and interior only completed later in the 19th century.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The word 'time capsule' has largely come to be associated with science fiction. But the discovery of a 'time capsule' at a magnificent Hungarian cathedral has generated renewed interest.

The word 'time capsule' has largely come to be associated with science fiction. But the discovery of a 'time capsule' at a magnificent Hungarian cathedral has generated renewed interest. It has come to light that the cross atop Esztergom Cathedral hid a 176-year-old 'time capsule'. The discovery was made during renovation work. The 'time capsule' is a sealed copper container inside the cross on the 100-metre dome. This dome, which is the highest in the country, survived even the bombing that took place during Second World War. The copper container was damaged by shrapnel but when historians opened it, they discovered documents in near-perfect condition relating to the cathedral's construction. The church was built from 1822 onwards and Csaba Torok, director of the Cathedral's Treasury, said the papers gave a rare glimpse of the time when the church was built from 1822 onwards. The cylindrical capsule was placed in the cross in 1845 by Archbishop Jozsef Kopacsy and chief architect Jozsef Hild, who took over after his predecessor was murdered. "Archbishop Kopacsy knew he would not be able to complete the construction in his lifetime, so when the cross was finished he wanted to leave inside an imprint of the memory of the builders and of that era," Torok said. The best moment was when they found the documents: one depicting milestones in the construction and a book containing names of clergymen and parishes. "These were last touched by human hands when they were placed there 176 years ago, so somehow we felt a sudden connection in time," he said. "Unfortunately, we did not find any coins from the period in the capsule so there was nothing to help pay for the renovation," he added, smiling. The cathedral was built on Castle Hill, where a church was first founded over 1000 years ago. Its iron dome was built in Vienna and carried in sections down the Danube on barges. For its consecration in 1856, Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt composed a mass. But the cathedral was still not finished, with the main portico and interior only completed later in the 19th century. (With inputs from agencies)

176-year-old 'time capsule' found in a cross atop a cathedral in Hungary

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument. A similar situation has occured in case of the cathedral in Burgos in Spain. The cathedral is steeped in history. It was built 800 years ago.

The Archidiocessis of Burgos has decided to install bronze doors in place of current wooden ones. The wooden doors are showing effects time has had on them. This simple installation of bronze doors has led to a huge uproar. The door cost 1.2 million euros and have been designed by award-winning artist Antonio Lopez.

More than 31,000 people have signed petition against these doors. Some of them have alsp been quoted as regarding the doors an "eyesore". The bronze doors have been designed in contemporary art style.

Cathedral authorities are defending the bronze doors by apparently hinting at artistic value addition the doors with cause. As per the authorities, the cathedral has had structural additions over centuries that were done in different artistic styles reflective of what was considered aestetic in respective times.

The petition signed by thousands questions the spend of millions of euros for bronze door.

“Given the queues of hungry people we’re seeing, and the fact that the cathedral doesn’t even have central heating – which is no laughing matter in Burgos – why is the archbishopric spending €1.2m on this?” says the petition as per The Guardian. Even United Nations (UN) has advised against these doors.

Final decision on the doors will be taken by culture department of the government of Castilla y León, the Spanish region where Burgos is located.

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument.

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument. A similar situation has occured in case of the cathedral in Burgos in Spain. The cathedral is steeped in history. It was built 800 years ago. The Archidiocessis of Burgos has decided to install bronze doors in place of current wooden ones. The wooden doors are showing effects time has had on them. This simple installation of bronze doors has led to a huge uproar. The door cost 1.2 million euros and have been designed by award-winning artist Antonio Lopez. More than 31,000 people have signed petition against these doors. Some of them have alsp been quoted as regarding the doors an "eyesore". The bronze doors have been designed in contemporary art style. Cathedral authorities are defending the bronze doors by apparently hinting at artistic value addition the doors with cause. As per the authorities, the cathedral has had structural additions over centuries that were done in different artistic styles reflective of what was considered aestetic in respective times. The petition signed by thousands questions the spend of millions of euros for bronze door. “Given the queues of hungry people we’re seeing, and the fact that the cathedral doesn’t even have central heating – which is no laughing matter in Burgos – why is the archbishopric spending €1.2m on this?” says the petition as per The Guardian. Even United Nations (UN) has advised against these doors. Final decision on the doors will be taken by culture department of the government of Castilla y León, the Spanish region where Burgos is located.

These cathedral doors cost a million but people think they are an 'eyesore'

As UK aims to boost coronavirus vaccine rollout, cathedrals across the region have been converted into makeshift COVID vaccination centres for people aged 70 and more along with other vulnerable groups. People queuing at cathedrals in Salisbury and Blackburn were able to enjoy soothing organ music as they marvelled at the grand buildings.

UK Government is aiming to vaccinate 2 million people a week. This will enable it to vaccinate those in four highest risk tiers- the elderly, clinically vulnerable and frontline health and social care workers

Dean of Blackburn Peter Howell-Jones praised the role the buildings will play in offering vaccinations to the community saying, ''with a space this sort of size we should be able to see thousands of people vaccinated each week, and it feels really great to be part of that process."

Government data showed on Saturday (January 16) that almost 3.6 million people had received one dose of vaccine, the most in Europe and an increase of 324,000 on the day before.

The government has already said that it plans to quarantine whoever arrives in UK in addition to a compulsory COVID-19 negative certificate. These measures come into effect on Monday.

"This means that if you come to this country you must have proof of a negative Covid virus test that you have taken in the 72 hours before leaving," &nbsp;said UK PM Boris Johnson on Friday.

The UK had previously made an exception for travellers from certain countries and territories with low Covid caseloads, allowing them to arrive freely through "corridors", without showing negative virus tests or quarantining afterwards.

These included Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore as well as Bermuda and Gibraltar.

(With AFP inputs)

As UK aims to boost coronavirus vaccine rollout, cathedrals across the region have been converted into makeshift COVID vaccination centres for people aged 70 and more along with other vulnerable groups.

As UK aims to boost coronavirus vaccine rollout, cathedrals across the region have been converted into makeshift COVID vaccination centres for people aged 70 and more along with other vulnerable groups. People queuing at cathedrals in Salisbury and Blackburn were able to enjoy soothing organ music as they marvelled at the grand buildings. UK Government is aiming to vaccinate 2 million people a week. This will enable it to vaccinate those in four highest risk tiers- the elderly, clinically vulnerable and frontline health and social care workers Dean of Blackburn Peter Howell-Jones praised the role the buildings will play in offering vaccinations to the community saying, ''with a space this sort of size we should be able to see thousands of people vaccinated each week, and it feels really great to be part of that process." Government data showed on Saturday (January 16) that almost 3.6 million people had received one dose of vaccine, the most in Europe and an increase of 324,000 on the day before. The government has already said that it plans to quarantine whoever arrives in UK in addition to a compulsory COVID-19 negative certificate. These measures come into effect on Monday. "This means that if you come to this country you must have proof of a negative Covid virus test that you have taken in the 72 hours before leaving," said UK PM Boris Johnson on Friday. The UK had previously made an exception for travellers from certain countries and territories with low Covid caseloads, allowing them to arrive freely through "corridors", without showing negative virus tests or quarantining afterwards. These included Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Singapore as well as Bermuda and Gibraltar. (With AFP inputs)

UK: Cathedrals converted into coronavirus vaccination centres

French cathedral catches fire in Nantes; contained within hours

This Easter,&nbsp;a local woman from London, had planted a suicide bomb on her and had walked into the St. Paul's Cathedral in London, with the aim of killing thousands of people present at the popular tourist attraction.

Safiyya Shaikh, 37, has now been sentenced to atleast 14 years behind the bars by the UK court.

Shaikh, a Muslim convert from London, had planned to set off a bomb at the popular tourist attraction and&nbsp;kill herself and the visitors in support of Islamic State.

She had contacted an extremist couple to get access to the required bombs. However, the apparent extremist couple&nbsp;turned out to be undercover cops.&nbsp;

On Friday, she was sentenced to 14 years in jail at the&nbsp;Old Bailey court.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/746-arrested-as-uk-security-officials-bust-top-secret-crime-chatroom-in-major-operation-310231">Also read: 746 arrested as UK security officials bust top secret crime chatroom in major operation</a>

"Safiyya Shaikh chose to live her life as a violent extremist with a murderous hatred of those who did not share her twisted version of Islam," said Jenny Hopkins from Britain`s Crown Prosecution Service.

"The damning evidence presented by the CPS of her planned suicide mission to St. Paul’s Cathedral left her with no room to talk her way out the charges."

The court was presented with video proofs of the Shaikh handing over bags to the undercover officer, pretending to be the wife, which were supposed to be returned back to Shaikh with bombs.

She was also caught saying&nbsp;"I really would love to destroy that place and the kaffir [unbelievers] there" in a secure message to the undercover officers, pretending to be an extremist couple.

This Easter, a local woman from London, had planted a suicide bomb on her and had walked into the St. Paul's Cathedral in London, with the aim of killing thousands of people present at the popular tourist attraction.

This Easter, a local woman from London, had planted a suicide bomb on her and had walked into the St. Paul's Cathedral in London, with the aim of killing thousands of people present at the popular tourist attraction. Safiyya Shaikh, 37, has now been sentenced to atleast 14 years behind the bars by the UK court. Shaikh, a Muslim convert from London, had planned to set off a bomb at the popular tourist attraction and kill herself and the visitors in support of Islamic State. She had contacted an extremist couple to get access to the required bombs. However, the apparent extremist couple turned out to be undercover cops. On Friday, she was sentenced to 14 years in jail at the Old Bailey court. Also read: 746 arrested as UK security officials bust top secret crime chatroom in major operation "Safiyya Shaikh chose to live her life as a violent extremist with a murderous hatred of those who did not share her twisted version of Islam," said Jenny Hopkins from Britain`s Crown Prosecution Service. "The damning evidence presented by the CPS of her planned suicide mission to St. Paul’s Cathedral left her with no room to talk her way out the charges." The court was presented with video proofs of the Shaikh handing over bags to the undercover officer, pretending to be the wife, which were supposed to be returned back to Shaikh with bombs. She was also caught saying "I really would love to destroy that place and the kaffir [unbelievers] there" in a secure message to the undercover officers, pretending to be an extremist couple.

London: Safiyya Shaikh jailed for plotting suicide bomb at St. Paul's cathedral

One day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/massive-fire-at-notre-dame-cathedral-210794">blaze that scarred Notre-Dame,</a> President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

"We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019.

"And we can do it," he added.

But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated.

Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks.

There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution.

Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction.

It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021.

It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris.

Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year.

The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze.

The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months.

"This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral.

With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building.

"It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church.

He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public.

But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new.

Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible.

"Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans.

Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined.

"We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said.

In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral.

There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised.

But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros.

A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October.

The consortium of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/billionaires-and-private-donors-mobilise-to-rebuild-notre-dame-210887">fundraising groups behind the drive</a> believes that $890,000&nbsp;can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged.

But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again.

"I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place.

"I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells.

One day after the blaze that scarred Notre-Dame, President Emmanuel Macron addressed a nation in shock at the damage to one of its great cultural landmarks, with a promise that rang as clearly as the peal of the cathedral's bells. "We will rebuild the cathedral even more beautiful and I want it to be finished within five years," Macron said on national television on the evening of April 16, 2019. "And we can do it," he added. But six months after the April 15 fire that tore through the roof of the 13th-century Paris cathedral and toppled its spire, the reconstruction process is shaping up to be much more complex than many anticipated. Workers have had to clean up significant quantities of lead that melted from the roof and contaminated areas around the cathedral, with critics saying the authorities were slow to warn the public of the risks. There remains no consensus on how the cathedral should look after reconstruction, with many experts wanting the spire to be rebuilt exactly like the original, and Macron arguing for an innovative solution. Above all, the process of securing an edifice still at risk of collapse after the fire damage has taken precedence over any reconstruction. It is only at the end of 2020 that a complete check will allow architects to work out how to restore the cathedral. No reconstruction is expected to start before 2021. It is impossible at this stage to say "how much this is going to cost, how long this is going to last," said Michel Aupetit, the archbishop of Paris. Macron's five-year goal would see the cathedral's reconstruction completed in the spring of 2024 before Paris hosts the Olympic Games that year. The top priority is to eliminate any risk to the vaulted ceiling, with the main danger coming from 500 tonnes of scaffolding that was erected around the fire for renovation work before the blaze. The damage caused by just a single bar of scaffolding falling could prove irreparable, and the work to remove the structure will take several months. "This is not scare-mongering. It is a physical reality," said Christophe-Charles Rousselot, director-general of the Fondation Notre-Dame, the charity that is overseeing the gathering of donations to the cathedral. With regards to the spire, a late addition to the medieval cathedral designed by the 19th-century French architect Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, many see it as an integral part of the building. "It needs to be rebuilt as it was before," said Philippe Villeneuve, the architect in charge of restoring the cathedral, arguing that the sheer power of the spire integrated it with the medieval church. He is backed by Viollet-le-Duc's descendants and, according to opinion polls, the French public. But the government has left open the possibility of an international competition for architects to design something new. Experts are also intensively researching the precise original architecture of the cathedral so that when reconstruction begins it is as accurate as possible. "Before 2010, we only have old-style surveys, plans that have been redrawn on numerous occasions which are very partial and very imprecise," said Remi Fromont, one of the architects responsible for the site who is working on drawing up accurate plans. Andrew Tallon, a Belgium-born scholar who died aged 49 in November 2018, carried out hugely valuable laser scans of the interior in 2010 that have proved an even more valuable legacy than he could have imagined. "We know that we will have shortcomings. Not all the chapels were systematically scanned. There are still areas of doubt," Fromont said. In the aftermath of the fire, private individuals and above all rich French cooperations rushed to pledge hundreds of millions for the rebuilding of the cathedral. There were concerns about whether this funding would ever be realised. But France's richest man Bernard Arnault in September signed a formal accord over his pledge of $220 million, as did the Pinault family for their promised 100 million euros. A signing on another 100 million promised by the oil giant Total is awaited in October. The consortium of fundraising groups behind the drive believes that $890,000 can be raised in total, with over 616 million euros now either transferred or pledged. But lovers of the historic masterpiece, be they tourists, architecture buffs or worshippers, may have to wait some time before Notre-Dame becomes theirs again. "I have felt orphaned, it is like being in mourning," said Michele Chevalier, 70, a regular at Notre-Dame who was at the service when the first evacuation took place. "I still manage to pray, but it's not the same."

Six months on, Notre-Dame's rebirth still years away

Priests in robes and hard hats worshiped Saturday at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in the first Mass there since the French treasure was devastated by fire in April. The priests were joined by a handful of workers and other worshipers, also in hard hats. The group was limited to about 30 for security reasons, and the solemn ceremony in Paris was shown live by a Catholic channel via YouTube.

Worshiping in Hard Hats: Notre Dame Offers First Mass Since Blaze

Before the restoration of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fire-breaks-out-at-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-210725">Notre-Dame de Paris</a> can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire.

The rebuilding is unlikely to be quick, warned architects and engineers who spent over five years repairing the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine after its fire. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-macron-hopes-to-rebuild-notre-dame-in-five-years-211025/amp">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>`s vow to restore the Paris landmark within five years after a fire consumed Notre-Dame`s roof and toppled its spire on Monday may prove unrealistic, they said.&nbsp;

"Everything is done in `cathedral time,`" said James Patterson, director of facilities and capital projects at St. John`s on Manhattan`s Upper West Side near Columbia University. "Cathedral clocks move much slower than everybody else`s clocks."

Patterson, along with other specialists who worked on the St. John`s restoration, described the challenges and satisfactions that may lie ahead in Paris where $1 billion has been pledged to restore the 850-year-old landmark.

The fire at St. John`s destroyed much of the unfinished north transept of the 19th-century Gothic Revival structure, silenced its grand organ and left what remained blackened with thick, tarry deposits.

Patterson and others recalled the joy of discovering sculptors, stonemasons, stained-glass specialists and others around the world who can rival the artisans of earlier centuries in their decorative work. There were less obvious considerations to contend with, too, such as how to ensure the majesty of the nave`s acoustics were not dampened by repairs to the walls and ceiling.

"The organ masters are very sensitive to it," said Raymond Pepi, the lead building conservationist on the project.&nbsp;

But before all that, the specialists had to inspect, repair and clean the fire-blasted stones.

SOUNDING STONES&nbsp;

As with Notre-Dame, much of St. John`s masonry is limestone. If rapidly heated by a fire and then rapidly cooled by water, limestone can crack, weakening the structure`s stability, and its surfaces can powder and flake.

To check which blocks needed to be patched up or replaced outright, Nat Oppenheimer, the structural engineer on the St. John project, and his colleagues "sounded" thousands of limestone blocks throughout the cathedral over a period of months.&nbsp;

Though more modern technology and techniques were used in aspects of the restoration, Oppenheimer said the old-fashioned approach of tapping stones with a small hammer or dragging a chain across them, listening for tell-tale sounds of hollowness, had not been supplanted.

"It`s like playing an instrument," he said.&nbsp;

Some cracks can be strengthened with plastic or steel pins. The St. John`s team also mixed up centuries-old mortar recipes to fill in damaged joints. Where a stone`s surface is flaking or "sugary," it can be mechanically tooled away, although that comes with drawbacks.

"If one stone is slightly recessed from another stone, that throws a shadow on the stone," said Pepi, the president of Building Conservation Associates, which helped oversee the St. John project. "It`s not aesthetically satisfying or pleasing."

Notre-Dame`s fire appears to have been mainly fueled by centuries-old oak timbers that made up its roof. That will have left deposits of wood fibres and resins clinging to stones throughout the cathedral, and trial and error may be needed to determine the best way to clean them, Pepi said.

At St. John`s, Pepi and his team conducted "literally hundreds" of tests, which took about a year.

"We tested chemical reagents, organic solvents, mineral abrasives," he said. "We tried trying to shoot crushed-up dry ice at the stone under high pressure."

In the end, they settled on spraying the tarry stones with liquid latex rubber. After the rubber dried, it could be peeled away, bringing the deposits with it, leaving clean stone behind.

With the restoration funded in part by an insurance settlement of $42 million, the full length of the cathedral was reopened to the public in 2008, Patterson said, although building work on what is sometimes nicknamed "St. John the Unfinished" continues to this day.

The renovation of Notre-Dame will also be an opportunity to consider modern upgrades.

Pepi also worked on the recent $175 million restoration of St. Patrick`s Cathedral, a landmark Neo-Gothic structure on Manhattan`s Fifth Avenue.&nbsp;

As with Notre-Dame, St. Patrick`s roof has wooden scaffolding, and Pepi recalls the city`s Fire Department all but insisted that a modern fire-prevention system be installed.

"The Fire Department told us: `We`re not going up there if there`s a fire,`" Pepi said.&nbsp;

They settled on a modern misting system that would quell a fire in the rafters, but would minimize water damage that sprinklers might cause in plaster vaulting below.

Before the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire.

Before the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris can begin, engineers may have to tap nearly every stone in the cathedral and listen for subtle sounds of damage, according to specialists who repaired one of the largest cathedrals in the world in New York after a devastating 2001 fire. The rebuilding is unlikely to be quick, warned architects and engineers who spent over five years repairing the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine after its fire. French President Emmanuel Macron`s vow to restore the Paris landmark within five years after a fire consumed Notre-Dame`s roof and toppled its spire on Monday may prove unrealistic, they said. "Everything is done in `cathedral time,`" said James Patterson, director of facilities and capital projects at St. John`s on Manhattan`s Upper West Side near Columbia University. "Cathedral clocks move much slower than everybody else`s clocks." Patterson, along with other specialists who worked on the St. John`s restoration, described the challenges and satisfactions that may lie ahead in Paris where $1 billion has been pledged to restore the 850-year-old landmark. The fire at St. John`s destroyed much of the unfinished north transept of the 19th-century Gothic Revival structure, silenced its grand organ and left what remained blackened with thick, tarry deposits. Patterson and others recalled the joy of discovering sculptors, stonemasons, stained-glass specialists and others around the world who can rival the artisans of earlier centuries in their decorative work. There were less obvious considerations to contend with, too, such as how to ensure the majesty of the nave`s acoustics were not dampened by repairs to the walls and ceiling. "The organ masters are very sensitive to it," said Raymond Pepi, the lead building conservationist on the project. But before all that, the specialists had to inspect, repair and clean the fire-blasted stones. SOUNDING STONES As with Notre-Dame, much of St. John`s masonry is limestone. If rapidly heated by a fire and then rapidly cooled by water, limestone can crack, weakening the structure`s stability, and its surfaces can powder and flake. To check which blocks needed to be patched up or replaced outright, Nat Oppenheimer, the structural engineer on the St. John project, and his colleagues "sounded" thousands of limestone blocks throughout the cathedral over a period of months. Though more modern technology and techniques were used in aspects of the restoration, Oppenheimer said the old-fashioned approach of tapping stones with a small hammer or dragging a chain across them, listening for tell-tale sounds of hollowness, had not been supplanted. "It`s like playing an instrument," he said. Some cracks can be strengthened with plastic or steel pins. The St. John`s team also mixed up centuries-old mortar recipes to fill in damaged joints. Where a stone`s surface is flaking or "sugary," it can be mechanically tooled away, although that comes with drawbacks. "If one stone is slightly recessed from another stone, that throws a shadow on the stone," said Pepi, the president of Building Conservation Associates, which helped oversee the St. John project. "It`s not aesthetically satisfying or pleasing." Notre-Dame`s fire appears to have been mainly fueled by centuries-old oak timbers that made up its roof. That will have left deposits of wood fibres and resins clinging to stones throughout the cathedral, and trial and error may be needed to determine the best way to clean them, Pepi said. At St. John`s, Pepi and his team conducted "literally hundreds" of tests, which took about a year. "We tested chemical reagents, organic solvents, mineral abrasives," he said. "We tried trying to shoot crushed-up dry ice at the stone under high pressure." In the end, they settled on spraying the tarry stones with liquid latex rubber. After the rubber dried, it could be peeled away, bringing the deposits with it, leaving clean stone behind. With the restoration funded in part by an insurance settlement of $42 million, the full length of the cathedral was reopened to the public in 2008, Patterson said, although building work on what is sometimes nicknamed "St. John the Unfinished" continues to this day. The renovation of Notre-Dame will also be an opportunity to consider modern upgrades. Pepi also worked on the recent $175 million restoration of St. Patrick`s Cathedral, a landmark Neo-Gothic structure on Manhattan`s Fifth Avenue. As with Notre-Dame, St. Patrick`s roof has wooden scaffolding, and Pepi recalls the city`s Fire Department all but insisted that a modern fire-prevention system be installed. "The Fire Department told us: `We`re not going up there if there`s a fire,`" Pepi said. They settled on a modern misting system that would quell a fire in the rafters, but would minimize water damage that sprinklers might cause in plaster vaulting below.

For Notre-Dame, lessons from a fire-damaged New York cathedral

A man was arrested Wednesday night after entering St Patrick's Cathedral in New York carrying two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and butane lighters, police said, just days after a fire badly damaged the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/notre-dame-cathedral-was-probably-caused-by-accident-say-french-prosecutors-210901">Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris</a>.

New York Police Department (NYPD) deputy commissioner John Miller said the arrested man claimed he was taking a shortcut through the cathedral after his car ran out of fuel, but his answers were "inconsistent and evasive."

"We don't know what his mindset was, what his motive was," Miller told a press conference on the steps of the cathedral, a neo-Gothic structure in the heart of Manhattan.

The man was confronted by a cathedral security officer and was told he cannot go inside carrying those items, according to the police.

"At that point, some gasoline apparently spills out onto the floor as he's turned around," Miller said.

After an alarm was raised, officers from the NYPD's counter-terrorism bureau caught up to the man and arrested him after questioning.

"His basic story was he was cutting through the cathedral... that his car had run out of gas," Miller said.

"We took a look at the vehicle. It was not out of gas and at that point he was taken into custody."

Miller said the 37-year-old suspect was "known to police," who are currently looking into his background.

Construction first started on St Patrick's Cathedral in the mid-1880s and was completed in 1878, although extensions have been added over the years and a major restoration was completed in 2015.

A man was arrested Wednesday night after entering St Patrick's Cathedral in New York carrying two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and butane lighters, police said, just days after a fire badly damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

A man was arrested Wednesday night after entering St Patrick's Cathedral in New York carrying two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid and butane lighters, police said, just days after a fire badly damaged the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. New York Police Department (NYPD) deputy commissioner John Miller said the arrested man claimed he was taking a shortcut through the cathedral after his car ran out of fuel, but his answers were "inconsistent and evasive." "We don't know what his mindset was, what his motive was," Miller told a press conference on the steps of the cathedral, a neo-Gothic structure in the heart of Manhattan. The man was confronted by a cathedral security officer and was told he cannot go inside carrying those items, according to the police. "At that point, some gasoline apparently spills out onto the floor as he's turned around," Miller said. After an alarm was raised, officers from the NYPD's counter-terrorism bureau caught up to the man and arrested him after questioning. "His basic story was he was cutting through the cathedral... that his car had run out of gas," Miller said. "We took a look at the vehicle. It was not out of gas and at that point he was taken into custody." Miller said the 37-year-old suspect was "known to police," who are currently looking into his background. Construction first started on St Patrick's Cathedral in the mid-1880s and was completed in 1878, although extensions have been added over the years and a major restoration was completed in 2015.

New York Police Department arrest man carrying gasoline into St Patrick's Cathedral

Notre Dame fire is under control now. Emanuel Macron calls it a Terrible Tragedy

Massive fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral

A gunman opened fire in a cathedral in the southeastern Brazilian city of Campinas, near Sao Paulo, on Tuesday, killing at least five worshippers before committing suicide, police said.

Paramedics told media the man fired a revolver and a .38-caliber pistol inside the cathedral, also wounding several people before killing himself.

The motive of the shooting and the identity of the gunman were not immediately known.

"An individual entered a church and opened fire on several people," a police spokesperson said.

"Currently the information we have is six deaths and three wounded," the spokesperson said, declining for the moment to say whether the gunman was included in the toll.

However, television images showed the lifeless body of the gunman, wearing jeans and a blue t-shirt, lying inside the cathedral, holding a discharged pistol in his right hand.

Television also showed paramedics attending several people outside the cathedral and multiple police cars in the street.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A gunman opened fire in a cathedral in the southeastern Brazilian city of Campinas, near Sao Paulo, on Tuesday, killing at least five worshippers before committing suicide, police said.

A gunman opened fire in a cathedral in the southeastern Brazilian city of Campinas, near Sao Paulo, on Tuesday, killing at least five worshippers before committing suicide, police said. Paramedics told media the man fired a revolver and a .38-caliber pistol inside the cathedral, also wounding several people before killing himself. The motive of the shooting and the identity of the gunman were not immediately known. "An individual entered a church and opened fire on several people," a police spokesperson said. "Currently the information we have is six deaths and three wounded," the spokesperson said, declining for the moment to say whether the gunman was included in the toll. However, television images showed the lifeless body of the gunman, wearing jeans and a blue t-shirt, lying inside the cathedral, holding a discharged pistol in his right hand. Television also showed paramedics attending several people outside the cathedral and multiple police cars in the street.

Gunman kills 5 in Brazil cathedral, commits suicide

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Almudena Roman Catholic Cathedral in central Madrid on Thursday to demonstrate against any plans to bury the remains of former dictator Francisco Franco at the site.

Families of the tens of thousands of his opponents who were killed or imprisoned during his near four-decade rule oppose his burial at such an emblematic site.

Spanish lawmakers voted in September to remove the remains of Franco from a mausoleum where tens of thousands of victims of the 1936-39 civil war that brought him to power are also laid to rest.&nbsp;

It is still not known where his remains will be transferred to. But the Franco family has a crypt at the cathedral and Franco`s daughter is buried there.

People chanted `Criminal out of the cathedral` and carried placards reading `Madrid: Without Franco` and `Justice!`

"I would chuck him in a ditch," said 74-year-old protestor Gorgonio Ferrero outside the cathedral. "But not (buried) here."

The plans to move Franco`s remains have divided Spanish society. Several of his descendants have expressed opposition to the exhumation.&nbsp;

The Francisco Franco Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the memory of the former dictator, has said that his remains should be given a Christian burial at the Madrid cathedral.&nbsp;

The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hopes the exhumation will help settle grievances from the period of his rule that still cast a shadow over the country. As many as 500,000 combatants and civilians died in the Spanish civil war.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Almudena Roman Catholic Cathedral in central Madrid on Thursday to demonstrate against any plans to bury the remains of former dictator Francisco Franco at the site.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Almudena Roman Catholic Cathedral in central Madrid on Thursday to demonstrate against any plans to bury the remains of former dictator Francisco Franco at the site. Families of the tens of thousands of his opponents who were killed or imprisoned during his near four-decade rule oppose his burial at such an emblematic site. Spanish lawmakers voted in September to remove the remains of Franco from a mausoleum where tens of thousands of victims of the 1936-39 civil war that brought him to power are also laid to rest. It is still not known where his remains will be transferred to. But the Franco family has a crypt at the cathedral and Franco`s daughter is buried there. People chanted `Criminal out of the cathedral` and carried placards reading `Madrid: Without Franco` and `Justice!` "I would chuck him in a ditch," said 74-year-old protestor Gorgonio Ferrero outside the cathedral. "But not (buried) here." The plans to move Franco`s remains have divided Spanish society. Several of his descendants have expressed opposition to the exhumation. The Francisco Franco Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the memory of the former dictator, has said that his remains should be given a Christian burial at the Madrid cathedral. The government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hopes the exhumation will help settle grievances from the period of his rule that still cast a shadow over the country. As many as 500,000 combatants and civilians died in the Spanish civil war.

Thousands protest outside Madrid cathedral against Franco burial

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