Biden declined an invitation to Notre Dame's opening ceremony in Paris

Acting US resident Joe Biden refused to participate in the opening ceremony of the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris in France. This was reported by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on December 6.

It is reported that Biden sent his wife Jill to the opening ceremony instead.

"The First Lady will be attending as part of her big trip that includes Italy, the UAE and Qatar. So she will be representing the administration. They were both invited there for the opening of Notre Dame," she said at the briefing, which was broadcast on the White House's YouTube channel.

According to the spokeswoman, Biden's decision was made due to a "scheduling conflict" that would prevent the incumbent U.S. leader from visiting Paris.

Earlier, on December 3, US President-elect Donald Trump said he would attend the opening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which will be held on Saturday, December 7.

In April 2019, the largest fire in history broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The spire collapsed, the flames engulfed the supporting structure. As established by the investigation, the fire started at the top, where restoration work was underway at the time. The exact cause of the fire was not made public. In March 2023 it was reported about the completion of an important stage of restoration of Notre Dame de Paris - restorers mounted the spire of the cathedral. On December 31, 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron announced in his New Year's address that the cathedral would be reopened to visitors on December 8, 2024.