Notre Dame Cathedral's Reopening Marks Trump's First Foreign Trip Since Election
In a significant diplomatic move, President-elect Donald Trump will attend the reopening celebration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking his first foreign trip since the election. The cathedral, which suffered a devastating fire in 2019, has undergone extensive reconstruction and is now ready to reopen its doors to the public ¹.
The reopening ceremony will be a high-security affair, with around 50 heads of state and government expected to attend. Trump's decision to attend the event is seen as a significant gesture, given the cathedral's cultural and historical significance. In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump expressed his honor at attending the reopening, praising French President Emmanuel Macron for ensuring the cathedral's restoration to its former glory ¹.
The relationship between Trump and Macron has been complex, to say the least. During Trump's first term, Macron was successful in developing a personal connection with the American president, but their relationship soured over time. Trump often mocked Macron on the campaign trail, imitating his accent and threatening to impose tariffs on French wine and champagne ¹.
Despite their differences, Macron was quick to congratulate Trump on his election victory, posting a message on X that read, "Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump. Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity" ¹.
The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral will be a multi-day celebration, featuring a reopening service, concerts, and a inaugural Mass. The events will be attended by a host of dignitaries, including Macron, who will address the VIP guests. The cathedral's grand organ, which was damaged in the fire, has been painstakingly restored and will be played during the celebrations ¹.
- _Reopening Service_: Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will preside over the reopening service, banging on the cathedral's shuttered doors with his staff to reopen them.
- _Concerts_: A host of international artists, including opera singers Pretty Yende and Julie Fuchs, pianist Lang Lang, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, will perform at a concert on Saturday evening.
- _Inaugural Mass_: The Paris archbishop will lead an inaugural Mass and consecration of the new altar on Sunday morning ¹.
The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral marks a significant milestone in the cathedral's history, and Trump's attendance at the event is seen as a gesture of goodwill towards France and the European community. As the world watches the events unfold, one thing is clear: the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral is a celebration of hope, resilience, and the power of human spirit.
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