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‘A very special day for all’: Trump returns to world stage, joins festivities in first trip abroad since election

President-elect Donald Trump embarked on his first overseas trip since his election victory in November 2024, attending the reopening ceremony of Paris' famous Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday.

weekend celebrationgathered an estimated 50 people. world leader and high safety,kick off octave A collection of events commemorating the restoration of the famous 12th-century Gothic church into a center of Catholic liturgical life and French tourism after a devastating fire on April 15, 2019. The fire, which appeared to have been accidentally ignited by a power outage or a lit cigarette, consumed the roof and spire of the fire brigade, leaving firefighters standing helpless. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Their efforts to extinguish the flames with water were thwarted by the centuries-old waterproofing technique of covering the roof with lead sheets.

Within days of the devastation, nearly $1 billion in pledges were raised from 150 countries to launch an ambitious five-year plan. Rebuilding in progress Effort itself is the point national pride. As of November 2024, approximately $148 million of the funds remained unspent, the Associated Press reported. reported. (Related: These photos show damage to Notre Dame Cathedral)

playing cards met Before departing for an event at Notre Dame Cathedral, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace.

The reopening service was presided over by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich and attended by French government officials, world leaders, donors, and representatives of Paris' clergy and laity. According to To the ceremony announcement at Notre Dame Cathedral. During the opening ceremony of the cathedral's doors, the archbishop tapped on the closed doors with a liturgical cane, the crosier, made from the remains of a burnt roof and called out to those in attendance. Psalm 121:

How happy I was when they said to me, “Let's go to the house of the Lord!”
Now our feet stand in your gates, O Jerusalem!
Jerusalem was built as a tightly knit city.

After the doors opened, the archbishop blessed the 8,000-pipe Notre Dame organ, symbolically ending the silence imposed on the cathedral. In addition to the singing of hymns, a series of prayers were offered to thank God for the world and for the success of the rebuilding effort. A star-studded concert is scheduled for Saturday night.

The inaugural Mass will be celebrated on Sunday with the consecration of the cathedral's main altar. A “fraternity buffet” will then be served “to welcome the most disadvantaged and those who support them every day.” Notre Dame Cathedral is expected to welcome 15 million visitors a year after reopening, 3 million more than before the disaster, according to the Associated Press.

President Trump announces intention to participate in Notre Dame Cathedral reopening celebration on Truth Social post Monday.

“I am honored to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the reopening of the magnificent and historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been completely restored since its devastating fire five years ago,” the president said. said. – wrote the elect. “President Emmanuel Macron has done a great job in restoring Notre Dame to its full glory. It will be a very special day for everyone!”

President Trump was invited by President Macron to attend. folded Wednesday, sources said Fox News. First Lady Jill Biden attended as part of her last solo trip abroad, which included visits to Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. President Joe Biden was also invited but did not attend due to “scheduling conflicts,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. said Friday.

PARIS, FRANCE – DECEMBER 7: French President Emmanuel Macron meets with President-elect Donald Trump at the Elysée Palace in Paris, France on December 7, 2024. President Donald Trump was among a swarm of foreign dignitaries who traveled to Paris this weekend to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, more than five years after it was destroyed by a devastating fire. (Photo by Oleg Nikin/Getty Images)

On December 7, 2024, US First Lady Jill Biden (CL) listens to US President-elect Donald Trump during a ceremony to commemorate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, a landmark in central Paris. Approximately 50 heads of state and government are in attendance. Five years after the 2019 fire that destroyed the World Heritage landmark and toppled its spire, people will attend a ceremony in the French capital to mark the reconstruction of the Gothic masterpiece. Around 250 companies and hundreds of experts took part in the five-year restoration project, which cost hundreds of millions of euros. (Photo courtesy of THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

On December 7, 2024, US First Lady Jill Biden (CL) listens to US President-elect Donald Trump during a ceremony to commemorate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, a landmark in central Paris. Approximately 50 heads of state and government are in attendance. Five years after the 2019 fire that destroyed the World Heritage landmark and toppled its spire, people will attend a ceremony in the French capital to mark the reconstruction of the Gothic masterpiece. Around 250 companies and hundreds of experts took part in the five-year restoration project, which cost hundreds of millions of euros. (Photo courtesy of THIBAULT CAMUS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

President Trump met with President Macron and Pope Francis in the aftermath of the “horribly destructive fire” and “offered great expert assistance in renovation and construction.” According to to pair Social media post from April 17, 2019. He suggested the use of “water tankers” to stop fires from above, a method used by French civilian agencies that respond to disasters. fired.

Mr. Macron is Congratulations President Trump on his successful return to the White House According to On CNN.

Pope Francis did not attend Saturday's service. cause A schedule conflict has occurred, but message Recognize the opportunity.

In the weeks since the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, President Trump has posted at least three references to prominent Catholic figures on social media. maryMother of Jesus, and another martyred Polish priest Jerzy Popiełuszko;famous prayer to saint michael the archangeland images commemorating November 1st. The solemnity of the saints. later Catholics expressed joy and guessed Regarding the motivation for posting.

President Trump spoke with “The World Over” host and Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo after the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner in New York on October 17. He denied that he was “communicating something to voters.” [his] spiritual journey. ”

President Trump said, “No, I don't think so. It's just beautiful to me.” “I see words and pictures, everything. The pictures are very beautiful. Yeah, I decorated some things…I think it's really beautiful.”

Catholics, who make up an estimated 22% of the 2024 electorate, gave Trump a victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, 58% to 40%. According to CNN exit poll. Among Latino Catholics, Trump held a 7-point lead, 53% to 46%. he played better Among white Catholics, support was 61% to 35%, a difference of 26 points.

The reopening of Notre Dame de Paris, which means “Our Lady of Paris,” coincides with the Catholic holiday of December 8th. The majesty of the Immaculate Conception This day honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, and serves as a patroness holiday in the United States. Notre Dame celebrates Mary's role in Christianity, but Catholics don't worship she.

The number of people in France who call themselves Catholic is estimated at 37.9 million, or 60% of the national population of 65 million in 2010. According to Go to Pew Research. Although this number has increased significantly, decreased Amidst the rise of both secularism and Islam, the country appears to have retained some of its identity as the “eldest daughter of the church.”

The Daily Caller has contacted Notre Dame Cathedral, the Archdiocese of Paris, the U.S. Apostolic Conference, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the U.S. Embassy of France, and Melania Trump's office for comment. However, no response was received prior to publication.

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