Our Lady of Paris in flames: Macron and more react to Notre Dame fire
A host of world leaders, celebrities and millions more worldwide have taken to Twitter to respond to the catastrophic fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “sad to see this part of us burn” as he responded to the fire, which looks likely to have destroyed the entire wooden interior of the historic building, according to officials.
In French, Mr Macron wrote on Twitter: “Our Lady of Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris) in flames. Emotion of a whole nation. Thought for all Catholics and for all French.
“Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn.”
Notre-Dame de Paris en proie aux flammes. Émotion de toute une nation. Pensée pour tous les catholiques et pour tous les Français. Comme tous nos compatriotes, je suis triste ce soir de voir brûler cette part de nous.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 15, 2019
US President Donald Trump said: “So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”
So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 15, 2019
Mr Trump’s vice president Mike Pence said it was “heartbreaking to see a house of God in flames”, describing the cathedral as “an iconic symbol of faith to people all over the world”.
Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said Notre Dame showed that humans could “unite for a higher purpose”.
My heart goes out to Paris. Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose—to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own. I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 15, 2019
“My heart goes out to Paris,” she tweeted. “Notre Dame is a symbol of our ability as human beings to unite for a higher purpose — to build breathtaking spaces for worship that no one person could have built on their own.
“I wish France strength and shared purpose as they grieve and rebuild.”
Westminster Abbey in central London said on its official Twitter account that it was “devastated”.
Devastated for our friends at #NotreDame and for the people of France.
You are in our thoughts and prayers tonight.
— Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) April 15, 2019
“Devastated for our friends at #NotreDame and for the people of France,” it tweeted. “You are in our thoughts and prayers tonight.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury said he was praying for “everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps”.
Tonight we pray for the firefighters tackling the tragic #NotreDame fire – and for everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps for this beautiful, sacred place where millions have met with Jesus Christ. Nous sommes avec vous.
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 15, 2019
He tweeted: “Tonight we pray for the firefighters tackling the tragic #NotreDame fire – and for everyone in France and beyond who watches and weeps for this beautiful, sacred place where millions have met with Jesus Christ.”
Leaders of the European Union shared thoughts on the news, with European Council president Donald Tusk tweeting: “We are all with Paris today.”
Notre-Dame de Paris est Notre-Dame de toute l’Europe. We are all with Paris today.
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) April 15, 2019
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker described the fire as a “horror”.
In a press release written in French, Mr Juncker said: “I am minute by minute the fire of which Notre-Dame de Paris is the prey.
“Our Lady of Paris belongs to the whole of mankind. What a sad spectacle. What a horror.
“I share the emotion of the French nation which is also ours.”
European Parliament Brexit official Guy Verhofstadt said he was “so sad” to see “a masterpiece of European gothic is at risk”.
So sad to see the images of the burning #NotreDameDeParis. I hope that the Paris fire brigade will get the fire under control as soon as possible. My thoughts are with the people of France as a masterpiece of European gothic is at risk of being destroyed.
— Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) April 15, 2019
“I hope that the Paris fire brigade will get the fire under control as soon as possible,” tweeted Mr Verhofstadt. “My thoughts are with the people of France as a masterpiece of European gothic is at risk of being destroyed.”
TV historian Dan Snow cited other damaging fires on monuments as evidence that Notre Dame “will rise again”.
It's overwhelming but remember that York Minster and Hampton Court burned in the 80s, Windsor Castle in the 90s and Cutty Sark in the 00s. Dresden's Frauenkirche, the Catherine Palace…. What we build, we can rebuild. Their essence endures.#NotreDame will rise again.
— Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) April 15, 2019
He tweeted: “It’s overwhelming but remember that York Minster and Hampton Court burned in the 80s, Windsor Castle in the 90s and Cutty Sark in the 00s. Dresden’s Frauenkirche, the Catherine Palace…
“What we build, we can rebuild. Their essence endures.
“#NotreDame will rise again.”
It's overwhelming but remember that York Minster and Hampton Court burned in the 80s, Windsor Castle in the 90s and Cutty Sark in the 00s. Dresden's Frauenkirche, the Catherine Palace…. What we build, we can rebuild. Their essence endures.#NotreDame will rise again.
— Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) April 15, 2019
Many other celebrities responded, with British pop star Dua Lipa saying she was “heartbroken” by the fire.
“So much history collapsing right before our eyes,” she tweeted. “Heartbroken for Notre-Dame and Paris.”
Devastation &💔…French are strong,& 🇺🇸 & The 🌎Will Never Forget Those with The Spirit Of La Marseillaise
— Cher (@cher) April 15, 2019
Cher said she was “praying for Notre Dame” and “will never forget those with the spirit Of La Marseillaise”.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper said she was in Paris and saw the spire fall, but “can’t bear to watch any more”.
Have just come away from the bank of the Seine after the spire fell as I can’t bear to watch any more. Fearful for anyone close to the flames, and aghast that centuries of history & beauty could disappear into smoke so fast pic.twitter.com/yxIVBz9RAn
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) April 15, 2019
“Fearful for anyone close to the flames, and aghast that centuries of history & beauty could disappear into smoke so fast,” she tweeted.
From the UK Prime Minister Twitter account Theresa May said: “My thoughts are with the people of France tonight and with the emergency services who are fighting the terrible blaze at Notre-Dame cathedral.”