Notre Dame hosts first Mass as spiritual heart of Paris is revived

A view of the great organ and the Western Rose window within the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Picture: Sarah Meyssonnier/AP

Notre Dame Cathedral is hosting its first Mass since the catastrophic fire of 2019, a moment that transcends religious significance to become a powerful symbol of the resilience of Paris.

For Catholics, it marks the revival of the city’s spiritual heart, a place where faith has been nurtured for centuries. For the world, it signals the rebirth of one of world heritage’s most famous landmarks.