NEW YORK — President-elect Trump will attend the reopening ceremony for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend, marking his first international trip since the election.
The cathedral is scheduled to reopen on Saturday after over five years of restoration following a devastating fire. Saturday and Sunday’s ceremonies will include approximately 50 heads of state and government.
Trump announced his attendance via a post on his Truth Social platform Monday evening.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago,” he wrote. “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
This trip will be Trump’s first overseas journey since his November election victory. His last international travel was in May 2023, while campaigning, to visit his golf courses.
Trump was president when the 2019 fire engulfed Notre Dame, causing the collapse of its spire and threatening this world-renowned architectural treasure, famous for its stunning stained glass.
Trump, along with the world, watched the inferno with horror.
“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” he tweeted, offering his suggestions to the city.
“Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!” he wrote.
French officials seemingly dismissed this, stating that “All means” were being employed to extinguish the blaze, “except for water-bombing aircrafts which, if used, could lead to the collapse of the entire structure of the cathedral.”
Trump also contacted Macron and Pope Francis to offer condolences and stated he would offer “the help of our great experts on renovation and construction.”
Trump and Macron have had a complex relationship.
During Trump’s first term, Macron effectively managed the American president’s unpredictable nature, cultivating a personal connection partly through flattery.
Macron was the guest of honor at Trump’s first state dinner, and Trump visited France multiple times. However, their relationship deteriorated as Trump’s term progressed, with Macron criticizing him for questioning NATO’s necessity and expressing doubts about America’s commitment to the mutual-defense pact.
During his reelection campaign, Trump frequently mocked Macron, imitating his accent and threatening steep tariffs on French wines and champagne if France taxed American companies.
Following Trump’s recent reelection, Macron quickly sought to regain favor. He was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump—even before the Associated Press called the election—and preempted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a congratulatory call.
“Congratulations, President Trump,” Macron posted on X early on Nov 6. “Ready to work together as we did for four years. With your convictions and mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity.”
Macron and other European leaders are attempting to persuade Trump not to withdraw American support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s nearly three-year-long invasion. They hope to convince Trump that a Russian victory would be detrimental to the U.S.—and to him—highlighting the need for a war resolution more favorable to Kyiv.
Trump recently nominated Charles Kushner, his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father, as ambassador to France. Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty to tax evasion and illegal campaign donations.
The reopening of Notre Dame will be a significant event, starting Saturday.
Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will lead a reopening service that afternoon, symbolically reopening the cathedral doors with his staff, according to reports.
The archbishop will also symbolically reactivate Notre Dame’s grand organ. The fire coated the instrument in toxic dust, and its 8,000 pipes have been meticulously restored.
Macron will be in attendance and will address the VIP guests.
Following the service, opera singers Pretty Yende (South Africa) and Julie Fuchs (France); Chinese pianist Lang Lang; Paris-born cellist Yo-Yo Ma; Benin-born singer Angélique Kidjo; Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji, and others will perform at a Saturday evening concert, according to broadcaster France Télévisions.
On Sunday morning, the Paris archbishop will conduct an inaugural Mass and consecrate the new altar.
Approximately 170 bishops from France and other countries will participate, along with priests from all 106 parishes in the Paris diocese. The Mass will be followed by a meal for the less fortunate.
Ile de la Cité, where the cathedral is located, will be closed to tourists. A public viewing area accommodating 40,000 spectators will be established along the Seine’s southern bank.
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Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report from Washington.