Obama on Notre Dame Cathedral fire: We will ‘rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can’

Former President Obama paid homage to the Notre Dame after a blaze tore through the famous cathedral on Monday, saying the Parisian landmark will be rebuilt “as strong as we can.” 

“Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief,” Obama wrote in a social media post along with an image of him visiting the cathedral with his daughters, Sasha and Malia.

Notre Dame is one of the world’s great treasures, and we’re thinking of the people of France in your time of grief. It’s in our nature to mourn when we see history lost – but it’s also in our nature to rebuild for tomorrow, as strong as we can. pic.twitter.com/SpMEvv1BzB

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2019

{mosads}A fire tore through the historic structure as Parisians and much of the world watched in horror. A Paris prosecutor has reportedly opened an investigation into the blaze, which is thought to be potentially tied to renovations underway at the building, much of which is under scaffolding, fire officials said.

The cathedral, which was built in the 12th century, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Paris. It attracts more than 10 million visitors a year.

The moment #NotreDame’s spire fell pic.twitter.com/XUcr6Iob0b

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) April 15, 2019

Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J’invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019

President Trump tweeted that it was “horrible” to see the flames tear through the cathedral and suggested that “flying water tankers” be used to combat the fire. 

“So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris,” he wrote. “Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!”

Un terrible incendie est en cours à la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. Les @PompiersParis sont en train de tenter de maîtriser les flammes. Nous sommes mobilisés sur place en lien étroit avec le @dioceseParis. J’invite chacune et chacun à respecter le périmètre de sécurité. pic.twitter.com/9X0tGtlgba

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) April 15, 2019

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed sadness over the fire.

“Notre Dame of Paris in flames. Emotion for a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” he tweeted.