Pope Rejects Macron's Invitation

Pope Francis has declined French President Emmanuel Macron's invitation to travel to Paris to celebrate a mass on the occasion of the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral. “I will not go to Paris,” the Pontiff briefly stated in response to reporters' questions.

According to Le Figaro, this reflects Pope Francis's 'cold attitude' toward France. The publication recalls that years ago, when visiting Marseille, the Catholic leader insisted that he was 'going to Marseille, not to France.' He made a similar statement during his visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 2014.

It is noteworthy that the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris will take place on December 8. The cathedral has been closed for five years due to a major fire.