Pope Leo XIV attends evening prayer at newly restored Notre-Dame

Pope Leo XIV attended a vespers evening prayer service at Notre-Dame de Paris on Friday, marking the first visit by a pope to the cathedral since its reopening in 2024. The visit came as part of his broader trip to Paris.

During the service, the pope praised the "splendor" of the restored cathedral, which reopened following a lengthy reconstruction effort after the devastating fire that severely damaged the building in 2019. He remarked that "the heart of a people" beats within the cathedral, reflecting on its significance beyond its religious function.

A symbolic visit

Notre-Dame's restoration was closely watched internationally following the 2019 fire, which drew global attention to the cathedral's cultural and historical importance. Its 2024 reopening was seen as a milestone moment for both the Catholic Church in France and the country's broader cultural heritage.

The pope's attendance at the vespers service adds further significance to the cathedral's post-restoration history, formally marking its return to use for major religious occasions at the highest levels of the Church. The evening prayer service is a traditional part of Catholic liturgical practice.

The visit formed part of a wider schedule of engagements during the pope's time in Paris, with additional public appearances expected as the trip continued.