Notre Dame Cathedral celebrates first Mass since devastating fire

PARIS - 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. Dressed in a white robe and helmet, Archbishop of Paris Michel Aupetit led the service, which was attended by just about 30 people - half of them clergy.

The mass started at 6 pm in the Chapel of the Virgin on the east side of the cathedral, which is confirmed to be safe. Aupetit was joined by the rector of Notre-Dame, Patrick Chauvet, other clergy, volunteers, people working on the restoration as well a handful of lay worshippers.

Other worshippers could watch the Mass live on a Catholic TV station. The video showed some burned wood still in the church but a famous statue of the Virgin and Child appeared intact behind wooden construction planks.