Shock, prayers around the world for Notre Dame Cathedral

Italian leaders express solidarity with France 

Italian leaders late on Monday expressed solidarity with France.

In a message to Macron, Italian President Sergio Mattarella wrote that "the whole of Italy stands in sincere friendship with the people of France".

Mattarella described the Cathedral of Notre Dame as "a historic treasure that has housed an exceptional artistic heritage of immense significance for France, for Europe, and for world culture" in his message, which was published by Italian news agency ANSA late on Monday.

Speaking to RAI public broadcaster, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he will contact the French government "to express the extreme and moved participation on the part of the Italian government and the Italian people in this bereavement, because I consider this a true bereavement".

The prime minister added that Notre Dame was "a monument of the French identity and of all those who loved the values of Western civilization".

Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio tweeted that "I stand with the people of France over this terrible fire that has struck the Cathedral of Notre Dame, a heritage of humanity as a whole. For Paris and for France, the support of the entire Italian government!"