MACRON PLEDGES TO REBUILD CATHEDRAL IN 5 YEARS
FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron says he wants to see the fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral to be rebuilt within five years.
Mr Macron said on Tuesday in a televised address to the nation that “we will rebuild Notre Dame cathedral even more beautiful”.
He added that “we can do it and once again, we will mobilise” to do so. Mr Macron, who also said “we have so much to rebuild”, thanked firefighters and police and donors who are giving money for the renovation.
The United Nations says it will be supporting the French government in rebuilding the fire-ravaged cathedral – a World Heritage site – through its Paris-based cultural agency UNESCO “in whatever way they feel is most necessary.”
Pope Francis phoned Mr Macron to express his solidarity over the fire at Notre Dame, just hours after the Vatican culture minister offered art experts who could possibly advise on reconstruction efforts.
The president of the University of Notre Dame in the US said the college would donate $100,000 toward the renovation of the cathedral after the devastating fire.