Although more than 100 firefighters contained the blaze within two hours and stopped it from spreading to the main body of the church, a 17th-century choir organ at the west end of the building was destroyed with much of the choir area and multiple stained-glass windows.
Europe
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
New study: Lead exposure from Notre Dame fire worse than first thought
A new study has found that the amount of lead that settled to the ground and likely seeped into houses downwind of the fire and within about half a mile of the cathedral was far greater than officials indicated at the time.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
In Italy, mourning families seek justice for victims of coronavirus
Members of an Italian online Facebook group, “We Will Denounce” have demanded that prosecutors in Bergamo investigate whether any crimes contributed to the death toll.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Polish president wins second term after tight race and bitter campaign
His campaign focused on defending traditional family values in the predominantly Catholic nation of 38 million people, and on preserving social spending policies.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Turkey’s President Erdogan officially reconverts Hagia Sophia into a mosque
The Unesco World Heritage site in Istanbul, founded as a Christian church in the 6th century, transformed into a mosque in the 15th century and then into a museum in 1934, will reopen as a mosque on July 24 with Friday prayers.
Posted inFaith, Vantage Point
John F. Kennedy on the Algerian crisis
John F. Kennedy wrote for America on the brewing crisis between France and Algeria in 1957. Algeria gained independence from France in July 1962.
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope prays for Poles who asked him to intervene in abuse cases
Polish Catholics have appealed to Pope Francis for help in “rebuilding” the Polish church amid the continuing controversy over that country’s episcopate mishandling of the sex abuse crisis.
Posted inFaith, News
Italian bishops increase aid to dioceses hit hard by coronavirus
The money comes from an emergency fund established using part of the proceeds the bishops’ conference collects each year from citizens’ tax designations.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A London plague diary
There is anger, especially at the high number of deaths in the country’s nursing homes, and widespread dismay at the London government’s stumbling attempts at managing the pandemic.
Posted inFaith, News
Some faithful in Italy hesitant to return to public Masses amid coronavirus
The opportunity to return to Mass — with restrictions — since May 18, and the need for ongoing vigilance to control the COVID-19 pandemic have combined in Italy to create a situation in which some people rushed back to Mass and others were convinced it was too soon to be safe.