杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

鈥淔ollowing the fire that ravaged a large part of Notre Dame Cathedral, I join you in your sorrow, as well as that of the faithful of your diocese, the inhabitants of Paris, and all the French people.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis sent those words of solidarity to Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris on Tuesday.

He assured all the people of France of his spiritual closeness and prayers during Holy Week, as the Church recalls Jesus鈥� passion, death, and resurrection.

National symbol damaged

鈥淭his disaster,鈥� he wrote, 鈥渃aused serious damage to a historic building.鈥�

鈥淏ut,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 went on, 鈥淚 recognize that it has also affected a national symbol dear to the hearts of Parisians and French people, in the diversity of their convictions.鈥�

He called Notre Dame 鈥渁n architectural jewel of a collective memory鈥�, and said it was 鈥渢he location of many great events and a testimony to the faith and prayer of the city鈥檚 Catholics.鈥�

Hope for the future

杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his appreciation for the courage of the firemen who intervened to contain the blaze and his hope that it return to its former glory.

鈥淢ay Notre Dame Cathedral once again become 鈥� thanks to reconstruction efforts and the mobilization of all 鈥� a sign of the faith of those who built it鈥�.

He said the 860-year-old sanctuary represents 鈥渢he architectural and spiritual heritage of Paris, of France, and of all humanity.鈥�

Vatican offers expertise

Also on Tuesday, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi offered the Vatican鈥檚 technical know-how to help rebuild Notre Dame.

The President of the Pontifical Council for Culture told reporters that the Holy See could take part in some specific area of the reconstruction, making reference to the technical expertise of the Vatican Museums.

鈥淲e have the type of know-how that the whole world recognizes as being of a high quality,鈥� said Cardinal Ravasi. 鈥淪o I think an eventual future offer by the Holy See will be significant.鈥�