The Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris hosted its first mass on Saturday exactly two months after a devastating blaze that shocked the world, with priests and worshippers wearing hard hats to protect themselves against possible falling debris.
The date was chosen as it is the anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral’s altar, which is celebrated every year on June 16.
President Emmanuel Macron has set a target of five years for restoring Notre-Dame, which was gutted by a fire on April 15 that felled its steeple and consumed the frame of beams supporting the roof.
Up to 150 workers have been working at the cathedral daily since the fire, continuing to remove debris and stabilise the structure.