A bell (centre) that Olympic medalists rang at the Paris Games, is seen before being installed in Notre Dame Cathedral, ahead of the monument's grandiose reopening following a massive fire and five-year reconstruction effort, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in Paris. - AP photo
PARIS (dpa): Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is set to reopen on December 7, five years after a devastating blaze that caught the world's attention.
The Élysée Palace said on Wednesday that French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver a speech in front of the cathedral.
Philippe Jost, president of the public institution overseeing the cathedral's restoration, announced that the ceremonial event will feature performances by prominent artists.
He described the line-up as "internationally renowned" but did not reveal specific names.
The Gothic cathedral, heavily damaged in the April 2019 fire, is expected to host more than 2,000 attendees for the reopening.
Invited guests include church representatives, world leaders and major benefactors. Among the guests invited by Macron is Pope Francis, who is though reported by several media outlets to have cancelled his attendance.
There has been no official announcement from the Vatican, and the Élysée has not provided further details.
The first public mass will take place on December 8, with the Diocese of Paris planning an online reservation system on the cathedral's website for attendees. - dpa
