After a five-year restoration process following a catastrophic fire, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was officially reopened with a grand ceremony on Saturday. The event was attended by a host of global figures, including US President-elect Donald Trump, current US first lady Jill Biden, the world's wealthiest individual Elon Musk, and Britain's Prince William, who joined French President Emmanuel Macron in a celebration that blended Catholic rituals with historical and political significance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made a last-minute appearance, was given a standing ovation upon his arrival at the cathedral. Approximately 170 bishops from across the globe and priests from all 106 parishes in Paris participated in the event, though Pope Francis was notably absent, opting to send a message instead, which described the reopening as an occasion of "joy, celebration, and praise."

Due to adverse weather conditions, the initial plan to hold the ceremony on the cathedral's redesigned forecourt was altered, moving the proceedings indoors to shield attendees from the rain and strong winds. This marked the first opportunity for hundreds of guests to witness the interior of the restored UNESCO world heritage site, which underwent an estimated €700 million ($739 million) renovation. The centuries of accumulated dirt have been meticulously removed, revealing a pristine yet visually striking cathedral: a Gothic architectural marvel that now shines with renewed splendor.

The transformation of Notre-Dame's nave from June 28, 2017, to November 29, 2024, is a testament to the meticulous restoration efforts. French President Macron, amidst a political crisis following his government's collapse, seized the global attention to showcase France's soft power and to inspire national pride and patriotism, similar to his approach during the Paris Olympics. He stated, "The world will once again find this cathedral rebuilt and adorned," and expressed, "Tonight, together, we can share in the joy and pride." Macron further elaborated on the cathedral's significance, saying, "We rediscovered what great nations are capable of: achieving the impossible. The cathedral has become a beautiful metaphor for what a nation is, and what the world should aspire to be."

The ceremony commenced with the ringing of Notre Dame's bells, a sound that echoed from the tower where Victor Hugo's hunchbacked bell ringer, Quasimodo, resided in the 1831 novel. Numerous bishops gathered outside, their garments billowing in the wind, as Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich struck the closed cathedral doors with his crozier, an ornate staff, to symbolize the official reopening of the cathedral. Through the doorframe, onlookers were treated to a dramatic scene as floodlights illuminated the downpour, setting a cinematic stage for Notre Dame's spiritual leader as he led his clergy inside for the first time since the fire on April 15, 2019, which investigators believe was accidental.

By the time the 600 firefighters had extinguished the last flames, much of Notre Dame, a gem of Gothic architecture, was in ruins. The 315-foot spire, a fixture of the Parisian skyline since 1859, collapsed through the lead roof. "The forest," an intricate wooden lattice structure beneath the lead roof dating back to the 13th century, was entirely destroyed. Centuries-old murals and invaluable artifacts were left covered in soot and lead.

Macron had pledged to rebuild the cathedral within five years, a goal that many experts deemed unrealistic. However, after an extraordinary effort spanning over 2,000 days and involving more than 2,000 workers, "Our Lady of Paris" was ready to welcome visitors before the end of 2024. The world caught its first glimpse inside on November 29, when cameras followed Macron on his seventh and final visit to the construction site, where he met with various artisans and expressed his gratitude to the more than 1,000 craftspeople who helped fulfill his promise.

The ceremony also honored the many firefighters who had responded to the blaze. They were paraded through the nave as the guests applauded. Later, the cathedral's grand organ, France's largest musical instrument with its 8,000 pipes and five keyboards, was played once more.

Following the ceremony, Macron hosted a dinner at the Elysee palace for the approximately 50 heads of state and government who attended. While Saturday's events marked the official reopening of Notre Dame, the inaugural mass was scheduled for Sunday morning, to be followed by masses held twice daily for eight days, along with special evening ceremonies. Many of these events will be open to the public, though reservations may be required in advance.